“Shake It to the Max” Fallout Deepens: Ex–Grammy Official Says He Was Fired for Enforcing Academy Rules

In a detailed and personal statement, former Recording Academy genre manager Sean Thwaites is breaking his silence following his abrupt termination on November 21st—just two days after Billboard published a story about a Grammy eligibility ruling he helped oversee.

“Hi, my name is Sean Thwaites. Until recently, I served as a genre manager in the Recording Academy’s Awards Department, overseeing five categories, Global Music Performance, Best African Music Performance, Contemporary Instrumental, New Age Ambient and Chant, and Global Music Album.”

Billboard published story in November stating that The Grammys and gamma. CEO Larry Jackson were at odds after the Recording Academy ruled Moliy’s global hit “Shake It to the Max (Fly)” remix ineligible for consideration in the Global and African music categories. The Academy says the issue is straightforward: “Remixes are just not eligible” for the Global Music Performance category, a rule that immediately disqualified the submission. In a statement, the Academy acknowledged the song’s impact but reiterated its stance: “Unfortunately… it was submitted as a remix, and as per our longstanding and published rules, remixes are just not eligible in these categories.”

Jackson strongly rejected the decision, calling it a technicality that undermines the artists’ achievements. “To be disqualified because we decided to call it a remix instead of ‘Part Two’ is an interesting choice,” he said, adding that “The answer of ‘That’s just the rule’ doesn’t feel respectful toward what these artists achieved.” He argued the recording is effectively a new version — with fresh verses, a revised intro, and its own ISRC — and noted that it was the only version submitted. For Jackson, the ruling is “devoid of any common sense” and emblematic of how independent and global artists are constrained by rigid systems.

That seems to be at the heart of Thwaites dismissal which he said came without warning, despite a strong performance record and recent recognition of his work.

“On November 21st, I was terminated just 48 hours after Billboard published a story about an eligibility ruling involving the song Shake It to the Max. My committee followed Grammy rules exactly as written, and the vice president of awards confirmed in writing that my decision was correct. The Recording Academy also told Billboard, we understand the impact of the song, but it was submitted as a remix and does not meet eligibility requirements. That is the exact rule I enforced.”

According to Thwaites, nothing in his recent evaluations suggested that his position was in jeopardy.

“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.”

He also notes that the industry continued to rely on him as a representative of the Academy up until the days before his termination.

“And on November 17th, just days before I was terminated, RCA Records requested me by name to interview Davido at the Grammy Museum. At that time, I was managing 43 nominees across all five categories.”

gamma. appealed for nearly a week, but the Academy held firm. Jackson, a music executive who ranked in Billboard’s top 100 power players, questioned what message this sends to rising artists from Africa and the Caribbean, saying, “How discouraging is it… that such an undeniable global success may not be honored because of rigid conventionalism?” Ironically, the remix also couldn’t qualify for Best Remixed Recording, since simply adding featured vocalists doesn’t meet that category’s criteria.

Despite heavy chart success — including 26 weeks at No. 1 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs and a 20-week run on the Hot 100 — the track will be absent from the 2026 Grammys. As Jackson summarized, the dispute highlights “the lack of leverage that independent artists and independent music companies systematically have against the machine.”

Thwaites, who has been widely recognized for his advocacy for global and African artists, emphasized that he would never intentionally sideline African music.

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

Concerns About Departmental Patterns

In his statement, Thwaites also raises concerns about the broader pattern of Black employees being dismissed from the Awards Department.

“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.”

Thwaites says he is speaking publicly now because of the broader implications of his experience.

“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. Thank you for listening.”