During this year's GRAMMY Week, the Recording Academy Advocacy team gathered with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and music creators for our annual congressional briefing series.

GRAMMY Week provides a unique chance for members of Congress to hear directly about the issues that affect the music community, leaving the bipartisan group with a firsthand look at what passing pro-music legislation, such as the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) and the Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act, could mean for the community.

This year, the Advocacy team had over a dozen Members of Congress join from both sides of the aisle, including House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN).

First on the agenda was a songwriter panel including Songwriter of the Year nominees, Nija Charles and Laura Veltz, and Chair of the Recording Academy's Songwriters & Composers Wing, Evan Bogart.

The panelists discussed their individual careers, the hurdles that come with being a songwriter, and the determination necessary to succeed. However, in addition to determination, they stressed the importance for Congress to protect their rights so songwriters throughout the country can continue creating music and succeed in the industry.

Following the panel, Todd Dupler, Acting Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Office at the Academy, sat down with two-time GRAMMY winning artist Shaggy to discuss his impressive career as well as key pieces of legislation, including the HITS Act.

Shaggy's most recent album, Come Fly Wid Mi, was nominated for a GRAMMY this year, but what most people didn't know was that Shaggy, along with 17-time GRAMMY winner Sting, created this album without the backing of a record label.

This means they provided the funding for the album themselves — something independent and small artists do all the time. However, under current laws, these artists have to write off their expenses for tax purposes over a period of years, which makes an expensive project even more difficult to pull off.

The HITS Act, which is expected to be re-introduced later this month, would allow artists to fully deduct the cost of producing a new record in the year they incur the expenses rather than spreading them out over time. If the HITS Act became law, it would allow small artists to create more music by lessening the immense financial burdens that accompany the production process.

Shaggy and Dupler also discussed the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), which was reintroduced in the House and Senate on Feb. 2nd – just days prior to the briefing. Sponsored by Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Senators Padilla (D-CA) and Blackburn (R-TN), AMFA would end a decades-long loophole that allows AM/FM radio to play artists' music without compensating them.

The United States is currently one of three major countries that does not pay artists for radio play. In turn, American artists don't receive any money when their music is played on radio stations internationally. Shaggy — whose music is popular around the globe and has experienced this first hand — talked to lawmakers about how important it is to right this wrong.

The next day, Members of Congress and staff took a behind-the-scenes look at the preparations and production of the GRAMMYs telecast at Crypto.com Arena. Allowing them to witness the reality that music is more than just the famous names and voices behind the music we love but is made up of numerous backstage workers whose efforts are the reason a show like the GRAMMYs telecast is able to take place.

The weekend briefings left these congressional leaders with a better knowledge of the realities of the modern music industry, and the policies to support back in Washington to ensure a better future for all music makers.

The Senate Committee On The Judiciary Held A Hearing On Fair Ticketing: Here's What You Need To Know

On Friday, May 3, an innovative event unfolded in the heart of Washington, D.C., as the Recording Academy in collaboration with the Human Artistry CampAIgn orchestrated the inaugural GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum. Designed to provide a space to explore the most pressing issues facing music, this momentous occasion served as a pivotal platform to delve into the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the music community.

The afternoon commenced with a series of captivating panel discussions, each curated to explore both the promise and the peril that AI presents to music makers. Moderated by Todd Dupler, the Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer at the Recording Academy, the first panel featured esteemed industry figures including Dani Deahl, a distinguished DJ, producer, Governor for the Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter, and Head of Communications and Creator Insights for BandLab, alongside Kokayi, a GRAMMY-nominated artist renowned for his prowess as a producer, emcee, vocalist, and thought leader.

Insights flowed as panelists dissected the relationship between AI and human creativity, shedding light on the transformative potential of AI-driven tools in music production, composition, and distribution. Dani Deahl demonstrated live how she ethically uses AI as a tool to enhance her music, including stem separation, voice or tone replacement, and song generation. One demonstration used tone-altering AI to record Kokayi and make him sound like a female pop artist.

Deahl explained how this AI technology represented an ethical, pro-artist approach to AI because the artist whose voice was used entered into a licensing agreement with the platform, the voice recording was pulled from works specifically created for the platform, and the artist is compensated every time her tone is used — including during the demonstration. The panel went on to discuss how artists embraced new technology in the past and how present technology changes the way we create music.

Following this illuminating discussion, the stage was set for the second panel, moderated by Michael Lewan, the Managing Director of Advocacy & Public Policy at the Academy. Dr. Moiya McTier, a Senior Advisor at the Human Artistry Campaign, joined with Juan Winans, a three-time GRAMMY nominated artist and songwriter, and Michael Hendrix, the Policy Director for Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee. Diving deeper into the threats that AI poses to artists and creators, the panelists discussed policymaking when it comes to AI—including the ELVIS Act, which recently became law in Tennessee and is the first law of its kind to protect individuals from AI models misusing their name, image, and likeness.

The Future Forum is one of many ways the Recording Academy has been engaged in the conversations surrounding AI. Last year, the Recording Academy also teamed up with members of the music community for the Human Artistry CampAIgn which launched in March of 2023. This Campaign is a coalition focused on protecting human art and creativity as artificial intelligence continues to develop. In addition to joining this coalition, the Recording Academy has played a significant role in safeguarding human creativity and helping creators navigate artificial intelligence.

Days prior during the GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day, the Recording Academy brought together 60+ GRAMMY winners and nominees along with Academy executives to advocate for legislation such as No AI FRAUD Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate's No FAKES Act discussion draft, which protects artists image and likeness.

As the Future Forum panels ended, the convivial atmosphere transitioned seamlessly into a vibrant reception, where Recording Academy members from the DMV, Philadelphia, and New York convened. Against the backdrop of stimulating conversations and shared insights, attendees exchanged ideas, forged connections, and celebrated the perfect ending to an eventful GRAMMYs on the Hill week.

The Recording Academy will continue to advocate and hold discussions surrounding fostering human connection and artistic excellence in the age of AI and the GRAMMYs on the Hill Future Forum served as a testament to this commitment. As music's biggest week in Washington, D.C. reached its crescendo, the inaugural Future Forum reinstated the importance of a future where AI augments — rather than deters — human creativity.

Here's What Went Down At Advocacy Day 2024: The Fight For AI Safeguards And Ticketing Reform Hit Capitol Hill

"We have a short window of time this morning, where we're going to download a lot of information into your brain." So told Todd Dupler, the Recording Academy's Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer, early in the morning of May Day, to a small, still-waking-up, but attentive crowd at the Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C.

After Michael Lewan — the Recording Academy's Managing Director of State and Federal Advocacy — laid down some logistical ground rules, the throng set forth into the pre-summer mugginess to advocate for two crucial policy needs.

The first is calling on Congress to protect the image, likeness and voice of individual creators from AI fakes through legislative measures such as the No AI FRAUD Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate's No FAKES Act discussion draft. 

The second is reforming the live event ticket marketplace to better protect artists and fans through legislation including the Fans First Act and a similar House bill, the TICKET Act.

After the morning briefing, groups with advocates went to the U.S. Capitol for dozens of meetings with bipartisan and bicameral legislators to seek their support for these important issues and bills. Throughout the morning, Academy members met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Peter Welch (D-VT), along with multiple House Chairs and Ranking Members, and other influential leaders.

After these initial meetings, the GRAMMYs On The Hill 2024 advocates stopped by the historic Nancy Pelosi Cannon Caucus Room to park, dine on lunch, and meet with more key champions.

After introductory remarks from Lewan, the No AI Fraud Act's lead sponsor, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) — who Lewan praised as "the brains behind it" — took the podium. "Your identity is in danger because of artificial intelligence," Salazar asserted.

And she drilled down into why — which involved portents far afield from music peoples' rights.

"Did you know that right now, someone with not very good intentions, can grab the image and voice and likeness of your daughter or so, and transfer that information to make pornography?" Salazar said. "Someone produces your voice and likeness and insults a boss, and you may be fired."

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Salazar's lead co-sponsor of the No AI Fraud Act, echoed the congresswoman's sentiment. "It's not just about the use of your likeness," she said. "You have the right to ask permission to get compensated for it.

Following the lunch briefing, the 60 plus advocates headed back across the nation's capital to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for a special roundtable discussion with senior members of the Biden-Harris Administration. While at the White House, advocates were briefed on AI policy, ticket reforms, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the president's work on gun violence, before a special conversation with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. 

And with that, with another successful Advocacy Day in the bag, music advocates went home assured that they'd made a phenomenal difference in the music landscape.

To those who would abuse the ticketing system — meet the true music fans. And, to those who'd leverage artificial intelligence against real peoples' autonomies — meet human power.

The 2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards were sponsored by City National Bank and benefited the GRAMMY Museum.

How The House's No AI FRAUD Act And Tenn.'s ELVIS Act Will Protect Human Creativity

The GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards returned to D.C. on April 30 and united lawmakers and artists in an unparalleled celebration of music and human connection. The star-studded event, taking place once again at The Hamilton Live in downtown Washington, began with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

The genre-defying electroacoustic duo Arkai took the stage, held their violin and cello, and laid into a reharmonized "The Star-Spangled Banner." Like any exceptional musical performance, it hit like a gale force of humanity. It also showcased how human creativity has always embraced new technology with stirring and inspiring results. 

The power of music to help us reconnect with our humanity provided the foundation for two issues the Recording Academy spotlighted during the evening. The first is the need to protect the image, likeness and voice of individual creators from AI fakes through legislative measures, such as the House's No AI Fraud Act and the Senate's No FAKES Act discussion draft.

But thanks to the threat to likenesses and copyrights that is AI, music's essential humanity is under siege. Ticketing, too, is being hijacked; accordingly, the second issue on the docket is reforming the live event ticket marketplace to better protect artists and fans through legislation including the Senate's the Fans First Act and the House bill the TICKET Act.

And as always, when an existential threat for artists surfaces, the Recording Academy is there to defend its global community of music makers.

Prior to Arkai's thrilling performance, a host of music's best and brightest gathered in front of a step-and-repeat to express their feelings on AI and ticketing in 2024. One was TV producer, musician, and Recording Academy member Candiace Dillard Bassett, who had the honor of hosting the GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards.

Bassett conceded there are a lot of components of AI that are "beneficial to our everyday lives." However, "If it's not being contained, then it's a danger. It's abusive," she said. "As creators, we deserve to have our likeness and our images. It's very simple.

"The biggest challenge is knowing that the artists' economy can be really diminished by technology," said three-time GRAMMY winner and three-time nominee, poet J. Ivy.

GRAMMY-winning jazz singer Sara Gazarek noted the importance of artists themselves raising their voices — not just tech giants and the like. "Not just business owners and CEOs and people who are set to profit from some of these things," she said, "but really the ones who are representing culture and the human side of what it is that we're doing."

And Todd Dupler, the Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer at the Recording Academy, put it gravely: "We've already seen the technology get to the place where people can have their voice or their image manipulated in ways that they would've never approved of or would never have never intended somebody to see."

On the topic of ticketers' rights, artists were equally vociferous.

"You can only garner the trust of your fans once," said two-time GRAMMY winner, singer/songwriter Lauren Daigle, noting her $40 shows have ballooned to $400 thanks to intercepting bots. "I feel like it's time for change. We need to create legislation that's going to stop this from happening."

This year's Best New Artist nominees, the War on Treaty, concurred. "Based on where their paychecks land, I think that that's a difficult conversation," said their Michael Trotter Jr. "I think that we should remember the human. I think we need to remember that art touches everyone and that we need to do everything we can and make it as accessible as it can."

"We need our fans, and they need us to give an exchange," said thrice-nominated rapper Rapsody. "We can't take advantage of their fandom and their pockets."

"It's a bipartisan issue," concluded Dupler. "Everybody understands how important live music and live events are for our community, and so we're optimistic that we can get something done."

And with that, the audience took to their feet for Arkai's patriotic performance. 

As mentioned, Bassett led the program as master of ceremonies with aplomb. The gestalt of GRAMMYs On The Hill 2024 was to honor Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who've reached across the aisle to protect the music community.

Sen. Cornyn, a dogged fighter against ticket predation, was the first to receive his GRAMMYs On The Hill Award.

"What I love about music is that it's a universal language that connects people to each other, across borders, across boundaries," he said. "This bill takes the power out of the hands of the bots, the bad actors, and puts it back in the hands of the people that make live shows so special."

Right then, the spousal duo War and Treaty — who are about to open for the Stones in stadiums — manifested that power with a killing performance of "That's How Love is Made." ("Everything in life boils down to the human experience," Trotter declared beforehand.)

A rousing performance of gospel classic "Oh, Happy Day" followed, led by The Choir Room's Dwan Hill. Hill cajoled the capacity room of lawmakers and industry leaders to rise to their feet and share in a communal, squarely flesh-and-blood, musical experience.

Then, Tammy Hurt, the Chair of the Recording Academy's Board of Trustees, brought out an unwavering advocate — and Minnesota legend — in Jimmy Jam. He presented the second GRAMMYs On The Hill Award to Klobuchar, "for her unprecedented leadership and allyship to music and its makers."

In her witty and wide-ranging speech, Klobuchar brought the audience's memories back to Covid, and its catastrophic effect on the live music industry. "Now that music is back and concerts are back big time," she declared, "the important job of working across the aisle to bring common sense rules to online ticketing."

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. then took the stage. "Music is irreplaceable. Do you agree?" he poignantly asked the audience. "This means the people behind the music are irreplaceable — do you agree with that?

Mason was quick to point out that AI isn't all bad — in and of itself, it's not a bogeyman to defeat.

"Some of this technology, it's really exciting," he said. "It's going to be used by innovative creators to make some amazing and incredibly creative new music, I'm sure… but I'm also concerned. We've seen it used to manipulate and exploit individuals without their knowledge, without their permission.

"And that's why we're advocating for appropriate AI guardrails that will safeguard the irreplaceable human creators behind the music," he concluded, "while we lean into the promise and the possibilities of this new technology."

Daigle then took the stage to perform an effervescent "Soak Up the Sun" in tribute to the night's marquee honoree. Then Crow herself, the 2024 Creators Leadership Award honoree, took the stage in a cream-hued pantsuit. Crow performed one new song ("Evolution") and one classic ("Every Day is a Winding Road"), augmented by miles of slide guitar.

"Music is the energy that moves your body," the nine-time GRAMMY winner, 32-time nominee, and tireless advocate for creators' rights underscored. "It does not exist in a computer." Of course, computers are blessings — they're responsible for monumental music.

But it always comes back to the human — and whether through the lens of AI or ticketing, the 2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards were a celebration of all things we dreamt up.

The 2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards were sponsored by City National Bank and benefited the GRAMMY Museum.

2024 GRAMMYs On The Hill: How Sens. John Cornyn & Amy Klobuchar Support Music & Advocate For Creators' Rights

The 2024 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards is sponsored by City National Bank and benefits the GRAMMY Museum.

Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have left significant imprints on the music industry through their legislative efforts. This week, the Recording Academy is recognizing and celebrating their contributions to advancing pro-music legislation as honorees at the 2024 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on Tuesday, April 30, in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Cornyn, hailing from Texas, has been a steadfast supporter of music creators throughout his tenure in Congress. He played a pivotal role in championing the Save Our Stages Act, which provided a crucial lifeline to venues affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with a $16 billion federal relief program. This substantial funding injection marked the largest-ever U.S. federal investment in the arts, underscoring Cornyn's commitment to preserving the cultural landscape and supporting music venues nationwide. Additionally, he has been instrumental in shaping key policies that benefit the music community, including his collaborative efforts with Sen. Klobuchar on initiatives such as the Fans First Act, aimed at reforming live event ticketing to better protect artists and fans alike.

"As a Texan, a love of live music is in my blood, and I've been proud to lead the charge on legislation that helps artists, entertainers, and venues meet the needs of their fans, including the Save Our Stages Act and the Fans First Act," Sen. Cornyn said. "I want to thank the Recording Academy for honoring me, and I look forward to continue to work on behalf of performers and fans across Texas and the nation."  

Learn More: GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards 2024: Everything You Need To Know Including Mission, Goals, Honorees & Achievements

Sen. Klobuchar, representing Minnesota, has emerged as a prominent figure in advocating for music creators' rights and shaping legislation to support the industry. As a key supporter of the Music Modernization Act, she played a pivotal role in ushering in the most significant update to music licensing in over 40 years. This landmark legislation revolutionized royalty payments for songwriters, ensured fair compensation for legacy artists, and provided essential protections for producers and engineers under copyright law. And, during the COVID-19 pandemic she took the lead, alongside Senator Cornyn, in crafting the historic Save our Stages Act to ensure live music venues would remain in business for artists and fans to enjoy for years to come. 

"It's an honor to be recognized by the Recording Academy, an organization that uplifts performers, songwriters, and other music professionals in our country," Sen. Klobuchar said. "Music has the power to bring us together and it is something we can never take for granted. That’s why I fought to pass the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act with Sen. Cornyn to ensure independent arts venues survived the pandemic, and why we are working together to improve the ticketing experience with the Fans First Act. There's nothing like live music and concerts, and I remain committed to ensuring artists can continue to share their music with the fans who love it." 

Both Sens. Cornyn and Klobuchar have actively engaged with the music community, participating in events such as GRAMMYs on the Hill and meeting with Recording Academy members to gain insights into the industry's pressing issues and priorities. Their unwavering commitment to advancing creator-friendly legislation and their collaborative efforts in shaping impactful policies underscore their dedication to supporting music creators and nurturing the vibrancy of the music ecosystem.

This year, the Recording Academy is also working with Sens. Cornyn and Klobuchar to further several key pieces of legislation, including the Fans First Act, which represent the most comprehensive set of reforms to strengthen the live event ticketing marketplace and protect fans, artists, and independent small businesses.

As the 118th Congress continues its legislative work, the Recording Academy looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Sens. Cornyn and Klobuchar, recognizing them as invaluable allies in the ongoing effort to uplift and safeguard the interests of music creators nationwide.

Academy Members Advance The Fight For Artists' Rights in State Capitals Across the Country