Rabat – Moroccan music is gaining a stronger voice inside the organization behind the GRAMMY Awards, with Manal, Draganov, DYSTINCT and Nizar joining the Recording Academy’s Class of 2026 as Voting Members.

The four artists are now part of the Academy’s voting community, made up of active music creators whose work spans performance, songwriting, production, composition, and musicianship. 

Voting Members participate in the peer-voting process used to determine GRAMMY nominees and winners.

Manal, one of Morocco’s prominent contemporary pop and R&B voices, has built her career around a modern approach to Arabic music. 

The singer-songwriter has released projects including “360” and “Arabian Heartbreak,” while collaborations with artists such as ElGrandeToto, Shayfeen and Draganov have helped establish her presence across the regional music landscape. 

The Recording Academy previously featured her as a Moroccan singer-songwriter through its Global Spin series.

Draganov represents the country’s rap scene. The Oujda-born artist has worked with Manal, including on the track “Lonely Days,” and has continued building a catalog rooted in Moroccan hip-hop.

DYSTINCT, meanwhile, has taken Moroccan musical influences far beyond the region. 

The Belgian-Moroccan singer, songwriter, and producer has built an international audience through a multilingual sound combining Arabic, French, Dutch, English and influences including pop, raï and Afrobeat. 

His recent catalog includes “BABABA WORLD,” while collaborations with artists including GIMS, J Balvin and French Montana have expanded his global reach.

Rounding out the group is Nizar Dahmani, a Moroccan-American drummer and percussionist whose career bridges Moroccan musical traditions with international rhythms. 

He began playing drums in Safi and has since performed across several continents, worked with international musicians and developed a parallel career as an educator. 

His credits include performances with Grammy-winning band Snarky Puppy and collaborations across the Arab and global music scenes.