Ghanaian singer Moliy has unexpectedly been thrust into the centre of a Grammy eligibility controversy after the Recording Academy ruled her global hit Shake It to the Max (Fly) ineligible for consideration in several key categories — a decision that has left fans, industry stakeholders and music executives stunned.
According to internal classification rules, the track could not compete in the Global Music Performance category because it contained the word remix in its title. More surprisingly, the Recording Academy did not reposition the song into any other eligible categories, including African Music Performance, Pop, or Melodic Rap — effectively shutting it out of the 2026 Grammy race entirely.
Released in December 2024, Shake It to the Max quickly evolved into one of 2025’s most dominant anthems. Blending Afropop with Jamaican dancehall influences, the track — produced by Miami-based hitmakers Silent Addy and Disco Neil — climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Global 200 and later spawned a widely celebrated remix featuring dancehall stars Shenseea and Skillibeng. Its runaway success led many to predict a strong Grammy showing.
Those expectations evaporated on 7 November, when the 2026 Grammy nominations were unveiled and the single was absent from every category. The omission took even Moliy’s team by surprise. Larry Jackson, CEO of gamma., the label representing the artist, voiced his frustration over the Academy’s decision, calling it both unexpected and deeply disappointing.
The Recording Academy has not yet issued a detailed public explanation.
Author: Prof James Osondu
Sofia, Bulgaria
Bureau-Chief
