Moliy’s Grammy Snub: All you need to know

On November 7, 2025, the Recording Academy released the full nominee list for the 2026 Grammy Awards. One song Ghanaians, across Africa and around the world, expected to see on the list was Moliy’s “Shake It to The Max,” which features Shensea, Skillibeng, and Silent Addy.

But despite its popularity, the track did not appear in any category.

Moliy’s hit dominated TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms, sparking a global challenge across the Caribbean, Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.

Its absence from the Grammy nominations raised questions from fans, industry players, and forecasters who believed the song had strong chances of securing recognition.

Billboard’s report and Moliy’s label concerns

On November 19, 2025, Billboard published an article titled: “Here’s why ‘Shake It to the Max’ was deemed ineligible at the 2026 Grammys, and why its label calls the decision ‘devoid of any common sense’.”

The story captured the confusion from Moliy’s label, Gamma, which argued that the song’s success and eligibility period should have secured it a spot.

Part of the Billboard article noted that many industry analysts believed the song could have been a strong contender in either Best African Music Performance or Best Global Music Performance had it been nominated. Its absence left many puzzled, including Gamma’s CEO, Larry Jackson.

“Given its blockbuster success, ‘Shake It to the Max’ was widely expected to be a frontrunner in several categories at the 2026 Grammys. In fact, had the song earned a nomination for either best African music performance or best global music performance, many forecasters anticipated a victory. So, when ‘Shake It to the Max’ failed to appear on the final list of 2026 Grammy nominees in any category earlier this month (Nov. 7), listeners across the world were left scratching their heads, none more than gamma. CEO Larry Jackso,” Billboard quoted.

Moliy’s label, Gamma, insisted the song met all the requirements for the 2026 Grammy Awards.

“The ‘Shake It to the Max’ remix arrived within the 2026 Grammys eligibility period on Feb. 21, with new verses from Shenseea and Skillibeng, and a revised intro from Moliy, which satisfies the Recording Academy’s definition of a ‘new recording.’ As per the 68th Grammy Awards Rules & Guidelines, ‘new recordings’ are defined as material that has been recorded within five years of the release date,” the article continued.

The Recording Academy’s explanation

The Recording Academy maintained that while the song was undeniably impactful, it did not meet the eligibility rules for the categories in question.

In a statement to Billboard, the Academy said:

“It really is unfortunate that ‘Shake It to the Max’ isn’t eligible in the best African music performance and best global music performance categories this year. We all acknowledge it is a massive song with significant cultural impact. Unfortunately, but quite simply, it was submitted as a remix, and as per our longstanding and published rules, remixes are just not eligible in these categories. Regardless, our goal is always to honor, respect and fairly represent creators and the music they make — so we will keep working to improve our entry processes and eligibility guidelines.”

48 Hours After Billboard’s article: A Genre Manager said he was fired

On November 21, 2025, just two days after Billboard’s article was published, the former Recording Academy’s Genre Manager, Shawn Thwaites, claimed he was fired from his job.

Shawn Thwaites, who oversaw five categories, Global Music Performance, Best African Music Performance, Contemporary Instrumental, New Age Ambient and Chant, and Global Music Album, posted a video on social media explaining that he enforced the rules as written, the reason ‘Shake it to the Max’ did not make the list.

“On November 21st, I was terminated just 48 hours after Billboard published a story about an eligibility ruling involving the song ‘Shake It To The Max.’ My committee followed Grammy rules exactly as written, and the Vice President of Awards confirmed in writing that my decision was correct. On August 8th, I received a positive performance review and a pay increase, with no warnings, no concerns, and no indication that my job was at risk,” he said.

Shawn Thwaites' defense of his work with African music

Thwaites stressed that he has always supported African music and would never intentionally undermine it.

“And I want to be clear: I would never snub African music. I am the person who wrote the proposal that created the Best African Music Performance category. I’ve spent years uplifting African artists and building the Academy’s bridge to the continent,” he stated.

He added that he suspects foul play in his termination and suggested a troubling pattern regarding the treatment of ‘Black’ employees at the Academy.

Claims of a disturbing pattern and a call for transparency

According to Thwaites, he was one of several Black employees removed from the awards department during his time there.

Thwaites says he will seek legal support to address the situation, insisting that no one should be penalized for following established rules.

“When I started at the Recording Academy, there were six Black employees in the awards department. One Black colleague was terminated in August, just three months before me, making me the fourth Black employee terminated during my time there. That pattern is deeply concerning. I’m speaking today because transparency matters, fairness matters, and no one should lose their job for following the rules. I am seeking the proper legal support, and I’m standing firmly in my truth,” he added.

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