Grammy Awards Ex-Boss Fired for Disqualifying Moliy’s Song

An ex-project manager of awards at The Recording Academy, the organization behind the annual Grammy Awards, has said he was fired after deciding to exempt Moliy’s 2024 hit song, Shake It To The Max, from the 2026 Grammy Awards.

In a video shared on his social media handle on December 1, 2025, Sean Thwaites, who oversaw five Grammy categories, including the global music performance, best African music performance, and global music album, explained how he was terminated just 48 hours after Billboard published a story about the eligibility ruling involving Shake It To The Max.

According to Billboard, “’Shake It to the Max’ isn’t eligible in the best African music performance and best global music performance categories this year… it was submitted as a remix, and as per our longstanding and published rules, remixes are just not eligible in these categories.”

Thwaites said, “My committee followed Grammy rules exactly as written, and the vice president of awards confirmed in writing that my decision was correct.” He added that his decision was initially accepted by the Recording Academy. He had even received a positive performance review and additional responsibilities, such as interviewing Nigerian star Davido.

“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. And on November 17th, just days before I was terminated, RCA Records requested me by name to interview Davido at the Grammy Museum,” he said.

Thwaites also addressed concerns that his decision might have been biased against African music.

“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 spent years uplifting African artists and building the Academy’s bridge to the continent. African music is part of my purpose and identity,” he said.

He further raised concerns about what he described as a troubling pattern at the Recording Academy.

“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’m seeking the proper legal support, and I’m standing firmly in my truth,” Thwaites concluded.

However, the Academy has yet to comment publicly.