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The Grammys should be decided by ‘relevant music people,’ says Recording Academy CEO

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The Grammys should be decided by 'relevant music people,' says Recording Academy CEO

As a seasoned cinephile with decades of immersion in the dynamic world of music, I can’t help but feel both encouraged and slightly amused by the recent changes at the Recording Academy. Having attended countless Grammy ceremonies since the late ’80s, it’s been a constant source of frustration to witness the perceived bias within the voting body towards older, white male artists.

As a music enthusiast, I must say that over two-thirds of the individuals who will determine the winners of next year’s Grammys weren’t part of the Recording Academy just two years ago in 2018. This significant transformation is an exciting step towards fresh perspectives in the music industry.

One significant conclusion from a report published by the academy yesterday, just one day prior to the commencement of the initial round of Grammy voting, is that this was one of the main points highlighted. During this voting period, around 13,000 members of the organization will decide on nominations for the most esteemed award in the music industry. The nominees for the 67th Grammys will be announced on November 8th; the actual ceremony is scheduled for February 2nd at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed that the change within the academy’s voting body is quite noticeable. For years, there have been concerns about the group’s demographic makeup, with critics arguing that they are predominantly older, male, and Caucasian, making it difficult for them to truly appreciate modern popular music’s excellence. However, recent reports suggest a positive shift: The number of academy members identifying as people of color has increased by a significant 65% since 2019, while the proportion of female members has grown by 27%. This progress is certainly promising for a more diverse and inclusive recognition of talent in the future.

2019 marked a year prior to when the academy dismissed its inaugural female CEO, Deborah Dugan, amidst a significant scandal over allegations of discrimination and vote manipulation within the Grammys’ inner workings. At that time, the academy declared their intention to enroll 2,500 new female members by 2025. A recent update indicates they have added more than 3,000 women to their ranks, a year earlier than initially planned.

In an interview, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stated that they are examining the current members of the academy and comparing it to the music industry as a whole – focusing on who creates the music, their gender, age, ethnicity. The aim is to ensure that our membership mirrors this diversity.

The academy often highlights that a Grammy is considered the most prestigious music award since it’s given by fellow artists (unlike American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, or MTV Video Music Awards which are based on fan votes or chart rankings). However, critics have pointed out a perceived bias in the voting body, often referred to as an older-white-man group, for not recognizing recent talent from key players in the music industry such as Beyoncé and The Weeknd.

Since taking on his position at the academy in 2019, Mason has been quite tactical in reaching out to communities that haven’t typically been involved with the organization. As a result, in 2024, an unprecedented 72% of those invited joined the academy, leading to over 2,800 new members – a record number. Interestingly, it was reported that 45% of these fresh recruits were under the age of 40.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase that statement like this: Every now and then, the academy decides to let go of members who no longer fit the criteria for membership – people who perhaps had their big break in the ’70s or ’80s and have been casting votes ever since. The aim is to have a voting body comprised of individuals actively involved in contemporary and relevant aspects of music.

When asked if some individuals who were considered irrelevant had objected to their removal, Mason chuckled. “Indeed, there were instances where people wished to remain members,” he explained. “However, we firmly believed that re-qualifying everyone – meaning allowing a voter to submit voting credits from the past five years – would significantly influence the results of our elections.

Mason added: “Let’s rejoice in the statistics, but I sincerely wish that our celebrations could focus on the outcomes – improved nominations, better victories, and a reflection of what’s truly happening in the music scene.

To achieve this goal, Mason wrote a letter to voters in July asking them to take the time to listen to the eligible recordings carefully and make their judgments with honor and intention. Some younger members have expressed concerns about the academy’s complex voting process, which Mason mentioned they’ve been attempting to simplify by launching an app last year and giving it more attention this time.

He emphasized that the process isn’t meant to be effortless. Instead, it requires focus and dedication, not a mere pastime while enjoying TV. For instance, the academy received over 20,000 submissions for the 2025 Grammys, he noted, with only five to eight nominees per category being selected from this pool for the final round of voting, scheduled between Dec. 12 and Jan. 3.

“My hope is we can be very intentional in our voting,” he said.

Looking ahead to next year’s event, does Mason recall the criticism the academy faced from Jay-Z during the February performance, when the renowned rapper expressed confusion over why his wife, Beyoncé, hadn’t yet received a Grammy for Album of the Year?

Mason replied, “Yes, I recall it,” expressing his thoughts thusly: At first, I felt a bit disappointed since I’ve always hoped that artists, particularly those with such platforms, would recognize and appreciate our progress. It seemed to me that he wasn’t aware of what we’d achieved so far, perhaps due to lacking information. So, I wondered how I could explain to him the aspects of the organization that excite me because they’ve changed over time.

However, the significance of the Grammy became clear to me shortly after, as it held great importance for him and those he was addressing. This prestigious award serves as a symbol of ambition, and its value is undeniable. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to delve deeper into this topic, and I look forward to further sharing my findings.

Did he find that Jay-Z was open to such info?

Mason chose not to respond to that, instead viewing it as a chance to gain knowledge from him and reciprocate with some information.

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2024-10-03 18:31

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