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FYI

The FYI Holiday Schedule

This, dear readers, is our last newsletter before the holiday. We return with highlight editions on Dec. 28 and 31 and resume our usual Monday/Thursday schedule on Jan. 4. Between now and then, all the usuals and let's sincerely hope that 2021 is a less memorable one than 2020 has proved to be.

The FYI Holiday Schedule

By FYI Staff

Yes, dear friends, it's that time of the year when (ordinarily) we break out the punch bowl, pin the mistletoe, and gather in praise of the birth of baby Jesus or give a communal blessing in the form of family gatherings. Religious or not, December 25 is a day for celebration and exchanges of love and respect to those near and dear; at least it was before the darned virus tore us apart and turned us indoors. With the antidote now starting to swim into circulation, we can collectively sigh with relief in knowing that there's a chance 2021 will be better than the year before. This said, the FYI team wishes the best to you all over the holiday season.  This is our last newsletter before the break. We return on December 28.


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From all of us here for now, adios amigos.

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Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy
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Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy

Awards

Here’s Why ‘Shake It to the Max’ Was Deemed Ineligible at the 2026 Grammys — And Why Its Label Calls the Decision ‘Devoid of Any Common Sense’

Representatives from the Recording Academy and gamma. CEO Larry Jackson comment on one of this year's most shocking Grammy snubs.

Few phrases define the year in music and culture like Moliy’s scintillating directive to “shake it to the max.” The Ghanaian singer’s sultry voice reverberated across the globe, blending her own Afropop inclinations with Jamaican dancehall-informed production, courtesy of Miami-based duo Silent Addy and Disco Neil. Originally released in December 2024, Moliy’s breakthrough global crossover hit ascended to world domination, peaking at No. 6 on the Global 200, thanks to a remix featuring dancehall superstars Shenseea and Skillibeng. Simply put, “Max” soundtracked a seismic moment in African and Caribbean music in 2025.

Given its blockbuster success, “Shake It to the Max” was widely expected to be a frontrunner in several categories at the 2026 Grammys. In fact, had the song earned a nomination for either best African music performance or best global music performance, many forecasters anticipated a victory. So, when “Shake It to the Max” failed to appear on the final list of 2026 Grammy nominees in any category earlier this month (Nov. 7), listeners across the world were left scratching their heads — none more than gamma. CEO Larry Jackson.

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