AkayCentric & Ryan Carnes Score GRAMMY Consideration for “Running”
Nigerian-American independent artist AkayCentric is officially in the running for the next GRAMMY Awards. His latest single, “Running,” featuring American actor and musician Ryan Carnes, has been submitted for consideration in the Best Dance Pop Recording category.
Released in June 2026, the track blends African musical roots with high-energy pop beats, bridging borders and industries.
Meet the Collaborators
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AkayCentric: Originally from Nigeria and based in the U.S. since 2020, the independent artist blends Afrobeats, pop, R&B, and electronic music. He is also a Voting Member of the Recording Academy.
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Ryan Carnes: Best known for his acting role on Desperate Housewives, Carnes showcases his musical side here as both a featured artist and a drummer.
The All-Star Production Team
“Running” was brought to life by a top-tier international crew:
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Mixing & Mastering: Luca Pretolesi (renowned electronic and dance music engineer)
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Producer: TwinBeatz Peter
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Additional Production: Taye Olusola
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Songwriters: Promise Chigbu, AkayCentric, and Ryan Carnes
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Recording Engineer: Stef Moro
Building Global Momentum
This milestone follows a strong streak for AkayCentric. Earlier in 2026, his single “Recess” earned two nominations at the Josie Music Awards in Nashville (Song of the Year – Multi-Genre and Music Video of the Year – Male) and gained airplay on MTV Base and BET International. Beyond music, AkayCentric is a World Entertainment Awards winner and has contributed to a United Nations-supported climate initiative.
What’s Next?
GRAMMY consideration is the first step in the Academy’s voting process. While the song is not yet a nominee, the submission puts AkayCentric in front of the voting body as fans await the official nomination announcements.
“Running” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
What do you think? Does “Running” have what it takes to land an official GRAMMY nomination?
