On Monday, June 28, Recording Academy announced it had extended its membership invitations to established music professionals from wide-ranging backgrounds, genres and disciplines.

Among the new members are Ghanaian Reggae/Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy and filmmaker and Grammy nominee Samuel Bazawule popularly known as Blitz the Ambassador.

The two join 2,708 individuals in the music industry including songwriters, engineers, producers and performers invited to the Grammys as a voting members.

In an official announcement, the Academy wrote that “the class was selected by a committee of industry peers based on exceptional contributions to the music community. The invitations are a reflection of the Recording Academy's commitment to excellence and further growing its robust membership body.”

“The invitations also reaffirm the Recording Academy's recognition of the important contributions of music people to influence progressive changes within the music industry.”

Taking to Twitter to make the announcement, Stonebwoy said he is honored to join the Academy member list of 2021.

He stated that he was grateful to have an opportunity to celebrate, represent, and give back to the music and its creators.

As part of the new @RecordingAcad member class, I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate, represent, and give back to the music and its creators. #WeAreMusic 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/YVHJGgoZwi

— 1GAD (@stonebwoyb) June 29, 2021

Also celebrating this milestone on Twitter, Blitz wrote “excited to join the Recording Academy Class of 2021 with one Grammy nomination under my belt. More to come!!!”

Excited to join the Recording Academy Class of 2021 with one Grammy nomination under my belt. More to come!!!
🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/qK3qlBRX8c

— Blitz Bazawule (@BlitzAmbassador) June 30, 2021

This selection comes three months after Blitz The Ambassador received his first Grammy Nomination medalion.

The 'Burial of Kojo' director earned the nomination after Beyonce's Black is King musical film was nominated for ‘Best Music Film’ category at the 2021 edition of the Grammy awards.