Yaoundé, Cameroon – In a landmark moment for African music, Cameroonian Afro-Njang superstar Vernyuy Tina has been invited to join the Recording Academy’s prestigious 2025 New Member Class as a Voting Member – becoming the first artist from Cameroon to gain this influential role in Grammy Awards history. This appointment grants her the power to nominate and vote for winners at music’s highest honor, signaling a seismic shift in global recognition for Central African artists .

Why This Is a Cultural Watershed
- Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Despite producing globally resonant artists like Richard Bona and Manu Dibango, no Cameroonian artist has ever won a Grammy. Vernyuy’s appointment shatters decades of exclusion highlighted by fans questioning, “Why is Grammy always sleeping on Cameroonian artists?”
- Voting Power Revolution: As a Voting Member, Tina will directly influence nominations across all categories – from Best Global Music Album to Song of the Year. Her seat at the table ensures Afro-Njang, Makossa, and Bikutsi rhythms gain representation in the Grammys’ elite circles .
- Historic Class Demographics: She joins a cohort where 49% are women, 56% are people of color, and 60% are under 40 – aligning with the Academy’s push for inclusivity while amplifying African voices .
The Vernyuy Tina Phenomenon: From Bamenda to Global Stages
Dubbed the “Queen of Bamenda Beats,” Tina’s fusion of traditional mangambeu drums with contemporary Afro-pop has dominated charts. Her January 2025 hit “Verloni” – a celebration of cultural pride in Lamnso and Pidgin English – sparked viral TikTok challenges and amassed 50K YouTube views in one week, cementing her as Cameroon’s sound of 2025 .
Industry peers have long predicted her groundbreaking potential. As one tribute noted: “If Cameroon were to claim a Grammy, Vernyuy Tina would be the frontrunner to bring it home. Her authenticity sets her apart” .
What Voting Membership Means for Africa
- Submission Rights: Tina can now formally enter her music for Grammy consideration and champion overlooked African talents.
- Rulemaking Influence: She gains input on Grammy categories, eligibility, and policies – advocating for fairer evaluation of African genres .
- Global Platform: As Harvey Mason Jr. (Recording Academy CEO) emphasized: “GRAMMY membership opens opportunities for skill development, mentorship, and shaping music’s future” .
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While Tina’s inclusion is revolutionary, systemic barriers remain. Cameroon’s music industry lacks the lobbying power of Nigerian or South African markets. Tina’s role could pioneer pathways for artists like V2M (“Bamenda Girls”) and King Luca (“Fragile”) to access Grammy scrutiny .
As Dr. Chelsey Green – the Academy’s first Black female Board Chair – stated.
Continue to remain informed with our News
Get to know more about your favorite Cameroon artist through their Bio
Fexifystudios also offers so many entertainment Services that you should check out
Check us out on our different communities on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Contact Us and you will be amazed by how much entertainment packages we have installed for you.
Contact Fexify For premium digital services.
Become a digital marketing expert with Fexify Academ