Renowned Kenyan musicians Blinky Bill and Karun have officially joined the Recording Academy’s 2025 New Member Class, a global honor that places them among nearly 3,600 music professionals selected to help shape the future of music and culture. The two artists join fellow Kenyan, Melissa Kariuki, founder and CEO of Whip Music, who was also invited earlier this month.
The onboarding process concluded on July 31, with members required to formally accept their invitations via the Online Entry Process (OEP). The Recording Academy, which oversees the prestigious GRAMMY Awards, emphasized the importance of member diversity and the critical role new voices will play in redefining the music landscape.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, welcomed the new members, noting that GRAMMY membership offers unique access to mentorship, career development, and direct participation in the GRAMMY nomination and voting process.
Karun Mungai, known mononymously as Karun, expressed her pride and excitement at being selected. “It’s really such an honour to be able to make an impact in spaces like this,” she said. “As a member, I now have a voice in the GRAMMY Awards process. I’m excited to bring our perspective into spaces like this, where they’re often missing.
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She added that her role goes beyond awards, touching on mentorship and advocacy: “I now have the chance to also advocate for our industry and support even more peers.”
Blinky Bill, whose real name is Bill Sellanga, echoed the sentiment and praised the Academy’s diverse and inclusive community. “Truly honoured to join… What makes the Academy strong is its diversity of genres, experiences, and voices,” he noted. “I’m excited to contribute my perspective and help champion musical excellence around the world.”
Melissa Kariuki described her invitation as one of “life’s best gifts,” crediting her work with global artists through Whip Music as instrumental in earning this recognition.
The trio’s inclusion marks a powerful moment for Kenya’s music industry, signaling growing global recognition and the expanding influence of African creatives on the world stage.
