It’s a historic milestone for Rwandan journalist Ernesto Ugeziwe and the local music industry. On Thursday, July 10, 2025, Ugeziwe confirmed his induction into the Recording Academy—a prestigious global institution renowned for organizing the Grammy Awards. He expressed immense joy over joining this esteemed community of creative and industry professionals.
“This has been a lifelong dream. It took relentless effort, meeting strict criteria, and receiving support from the Academy’s existing members to achieve this. Now that I’m here, I feel incredibly honored,” Ugeziwe said.
The Recording Academy, responsible for hosting the Grammy Awards, facilitates the nomination process through its voting members. Ugeziwe’s recent induction empowers him to contribute directly to shaping the journey of artists toward Grammy wins.
“The Grammy Awards stand among the world’s most prestigious music honors. Every year, Academy members influence nominations and select award winners. Being here offers me an incredible gateway, not just for personal recognition but for advocating strongly for Rwandan music,” said Ugeziwe.
East Africa’s Representation Challenges
Despite growing global interest, East Africa faces struggles in securing representation within the Recording Academy. Ugeziwe highlighted the need for more members from the region, believing that their inclusion could spark greater opportunities for local artists.
“If East Africa had 50 Academy members voting for an album like Bruce Melodie’s, it could significantly boost its chances for nomination in popular categories like Afrobeat. However, our few numbers make it harder for iconic talents like Diamond Platnumz to earn global accolades,” he remarked.
Ugeziwe is determined to use his position to amplify East African musicians and ensure their voices resonate prominently in international platforms, including Grammy Award nominations.
“The Academy provides a unique code granting access to an exclusive network of influential members. This allows you to share perspectives, advocate for artists, and vote. While I aim to emphasize Afrobeat, my key focus will be ensuring Rwandan artists gain global recognition. For music enthusiasts eager to empower the industry, this is an unmatched opportunity,” he stated.
Selection Through Peer Recommendations
Ugeziwe expressed heartfelt gratitude to Tuma Busa, an influential Rwandan based in the U.S., whose support was crucial during his membership application process. He clarified that gaining membership doesn’t involve self-registration but rather peer recommendations followed by a thorough evaluation by the Academy.
“Tuma was instrumental throughout my journey. Joining the Academy isn’t something you achieve by mere application. Instead, your industry peers nominate and approve your candidacy, which the Recording Academy later reviews before granting acceptance,” said Ugeziwe.
In 2025, the Academy welcomed over 3,600 new members, including 2,600 voting members and 1,000 non-voting members. This annual initiative aims to foster diversity by incorporating greater representation from women, Black communities, and youth.
According to the Recording Academy, 49% of 2025’s new members were women, 56% belonged to diverse ethnic groups, and 60% were under 40. Comparatively, in 2023, 2,800 members joined, while in 2022, over 2,000 applied for voting memberships alongside 600 for non-voting roles.
What It Means for Rwandan Music
Ernesto Ugeziwe’s entry into the Recording Academy is a transformative milestone for Rwandan music, potentially enabling greater international visibility. His membership in this esteemed body could particularly support local artists in gaining recognition in prominent Grammy categories like Afrobeat.
“This is a unique privilege. I won’t use this platform for personal gain but rather as a tool to uplift our music industry. If a Rwandan artist gains the chance to represent East Africa, I will provide unwavering support—just as other members passionately fight for their musicians,” Ugeziwe emphasized.
Now based in the United States, Ernesto Ugeziwe is a former journalist with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA). Alongside journalism, he is active as a consultant, project manager, and champion for youth programs. He also co-founded Afro Hub Entertainment—a firm dedicated to organizing concerts across the U.S.
This milestone signifies a new era in the relationship between Rwandan music and Grammy Awards, enhancing Rwanda’s presence on global stages. Notably, Kigali was among five cities shortlisted to host the Grammy Awards in 2023.
Ernesto Ugeziwe officially joins the Recording Academy—the organization behind the Grammy Awards—a major honor for Rwandan music.
Exciting News: Ernesto Ugeziwe will help select Grammy nominees.
From Kigali to Los Angeles: Ernesto joins the global Recording Academy community shaping world music honors.
Ugeziwe: "I will fight for Rwandan music to achieve global recognition."
The Recording Academy welcomes 3,600 new members, including Ernesto Ugeziwe—the first Rwandan publicly acknowledged member.