The Recording Academy's Board of Trustees has appointed Harvey Mason jr., as the Academy's President/CEO, effective June 1. Mason has been in the position on an unpaid, interim basis since January 2020, prior to which he was Chair of the Academy's Board, a position he will now relinquish. His appointment as President/CEO recognizes his achievements in transforming the Academy in mission-critical ways.

In a joint statement, search committee co-chairs John Burk and Leslie Ann Jones said: "We are delighted that Harvey will remain at the helm and continue to steer the organization through this pivotal time. As we journeyed deeper into our extensive search, it became clear that the best person for the job was Harvey. We are immensely impressed by the remarkable work he has done during his interim tenure and look forward to the continued evolution of the Academy under his effective, results-driven leadership."

"I want to commend the search committee and our partners at Heidrick and Struggles for orchestrating a robust and exhaustive search for our next President and CEO," said Tammy Hurt, Vice Chair of the Recording Academy. "I am not surprised that they faced a significant challenge in finding candidates that would meet the standard that has been set by Harvey during these past 16 months. He has led the Academy through one of the most difficult periods in our history. As a music creator himself, he has provided hope, inspiration and a vision for the future that we are well on our way to achieving. We are all thrilled that he has agreed to become our permanent CEO and will continue to lead us into the future."

During Mason's tenure, the Academy has improved the transparency of the GRAMMY Awards process, made important changes to voting procedures, and has made strides towards ensuring a more diverse and inclusive membership body. Additionally, the Academy launched a new Songwriters & Composers Wing and the Black Music Collective.

Shortly after Mason was appointed as Interim President/CEO, the Academy confronted the unexpected challenge of COVID-19 and the disruption it caused to the livelihoods of so many Academy members and the music community. Under his leadership, MusiCares raised and distributed over $24 million to help struggling music creators through the crisis, and the Academy advocated effectively in Washington for relief. Despite that ongoing challenge, Mason continued the Academy's internal transformation, as it implemented the final recommendations of its Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, hired its first-ever Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and conducted an organizational restructure.

Although a search committee of the Academy's Board worked with a leading search firm and considered numerous candidates for the position, the committee and the Board as a whole concluded that no candidate matched Mason's combination of skills and experience: a GRAMMY-nominated creator, an entrepreneur, and a transformational leader. Mason will not retain his role as Board Chair, and will take appropriate steps to prevent any conflict of interest with his business, Harvey Mason Media.

"There is nothing more rewarding than having the trust and respect of your colleagues and peers," Mason said.  "I am honored to have been appointed to continue to lead the Recording Academy on our transformative journey. While I had not initially expected to be in this position, I remain deeply invested in the success of the organization and am motivated to help us achieve our greatest ambitions. I will serve humbly with a steadfast commitment to building a more inclusive, responsive and relevant Academy."

The Recording Academy Announces Major Changes For The 2022 GRAMMY Awards Show

"Welcome to the first-ever hip-hop house party at the home of the Vice President of the United States," U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said excitedly from a lively stage propped up in her backyard. Her words reminded folks of the Notorious B.I.G.'s eternal lyrics: "You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far."

Indeed, as guests gathered at Vice President Harris' residence in Washington, D.C., on Saturday for a private, intimate event celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, a palpable sense of wonder and awe, mixed with waves of laughter and bliss, overtook the energized crowd. Here we were, honoring hip-hop in the home of the Vice President, with rap classics blasting from the stage as the unrelenting D.C. sun kept attendees beaming and alive.

The celebration, co-presented by Live Nation Urban and the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective, recognized hip-hop's global influence, evolution and long-lasting impact and brought together music industry professionals, U.S. Senators and Governors, politicians, and celebrated rappers — all true fans of and believers in the power of hip-hop. 

Among them, Vice President Harris was perhaps the most vocal hip-hop supporter of them all. In an impassioned, heartfelt speech, she boasted of the immeasurable impact hip-hop has made on American culture. 

"Hip-hop is the ultimate American art form … Hip-hop now shapes nearly every aspect of America's popular culture," she said. "And it reflects the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the American people. 

"Hip-hop culture is America's culture," she continued. "It is a genre. It is music, melody and rhyme. And hip-hop is also an ethos of strength and self-determination, of ambition and aspiration, of pride, power, and purpose." 

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, who confirmed with the audience that his home with Vice President Harris is, as a matter of fact, a "hip-hop household," echoed the sentiment in his opening remarks, emphasizing that the event aimed to "celebrate the legends who pioneered the music we love, the next generations who will carry on their legacy, and the artists and producers who use the power of music to create change."

For the Recording Academy, the celebration was a historic milestone in the evolution of hip-hop music and culture as a whole and the latest installment in the organization's year-long celebration of 50 years of hip-hop. In February, hip-hop took over the 2023 GRAMMYs with a special, star-studded tribute to hip-hop's 50th anniversary featuring performances from rap pioneers (Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., Chuck D, Flavor Flav), modern legends (Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne), and next-gen stars (GloRilla, Lil Baby). Now, from the GRAMMYs stage to the Vice President's backyard, hip-hop is everywhere, and the genre's impact has touched virtually every aspect of global pop culture. 

"Now, fifty years later, there's not a single genre of music that hasn't absorbed something essential from hip-hop," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a speech as he introduced "the first Vice President of the hip-hop generation."

"Our Vice President was rooted in hip-hop. It is essential to who she is. And — as today shows — she has brought hip-hop with her to the White House," he continued.

The multifaceted event featured a variety of performances and speeches celebrating the five core pillars of hip-hop: MCing, DJing, breakdancing, graffiti and beatboxing. As performers like legendary beatboxer Doug E. Fresh, DJ Dom and DJ D-Nice commanded the stage, Bboy Gravity and his breakdance crew wowed the audience with their neck-breaking moves; throughout the event, a graffiti artist completed a live graffiti mural wall painting from beginning to end.

"This event perfectly embodied everything that we at the Black Music Collective are about, and it's been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside other industry leaders and Vice President Kamala Harris to curate this historic celebration," Ryan Butler, the Recording Academy's Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, said in a statement. "We chose to focus on five key pillars of hip-hop — MC, DJ, breakdance, graffiti and beatbox — which allowed us to celebrate all of the distinct elements of such a culturally significant movement."

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A powerful lineup of artists further framed the five elements of hip-hop. Remy Ma, MC Lyte and Roxanne Shanté showcased some of the many ways women have influenced hip-hop culture, while Bay Area rapper Too $hort represented the West Coast with his performance of his classic hits "Life is Too $hort" and "Blow the Whistle." Common's freestyle-fueled performance exemplified the higher-learning, conscious-expression aspect of hip-hop, while fellow Chicago rapper Saba held it down for the fresh faces of hip-hop. The event also featured performances by legendary rappers Fat Joe, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, D.C.'s own Wale, Jeezy, who performed his fitting hit "My President," and Lil Wayne, who delivered a show-stopping, career-spanning closing set.

As the event ended, an ominous thunderstorm loomed up in the clouds, but that didn't stop attendees from basking in the afterglow, snapping their final selfies and videos of what was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Too $hort best summed up that sense of unbelievable astonishment.

"The journey of hip-hop was not projected to be this," Too $hort said during an on-site interview. "It's a beautiful thing that the image of the culture has changed enough to be used as a tool … Every aspect of life is influenced by hip-hop. Nobody expected that … But at the same time, we were relentless enough to keep doing our craft, and now we're here — we're here! I can't believe I'm here."

— With additional reporting from John Ochoa

Congress Moves to Honor The 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop

Marking a major step forward in the music industry and online learning, the Recording Academy has partnered with industry-leading online music education platform Forte to provide and expand access to the highest quality in music education for students of all levels. Through the new partnership, Forte, known for its use of high-definition audio quality and user-friendly design, will be the only online platform where students can access accomplished musicians from the Recording Academy’s esteemed membership, including GRAMMY winners and GRAMMY nominees.

More than 100 Forte teachers have been verified as members of the Recording Academy or as GRAMMY winners or GRAMMY nominees. This process included a screening for each instructor that guarantees Forte teachers hold significant teaching experience and background, ensuring all students receive instructions and lessons from knowledgeable and experienced educators.

"Members of the Recording Academy are among the most experienced and prestigious music creators in the world, working in the highest levels of the music industry," Forte co-founder and CEO Mark Murtagh said in a statement. "If a student has ever dreamed of learning an instrument or song writing from a GRAMMY nominee or winner, Forte now makes that possible. This unprecedented partnership exemplifies Forte's mission to radically expand access to high-quality music education and the Recording Academy's dedication to advancing the future of music."

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. further spoke on the revolution of online music education.

"Online learning is revolutionizing education, expanding access and creating new opportunities for families and students everywhere," Mason jr. said in a statement. "The Recording Academy is proud to help expand music instruction through our partnership with Forte. Our extraordinary members are excited to share their expertise and knowledge with future music creators."

All lessons will be on Forte's online platform. Learn more and sign up now for lessons via Forte's official website.

GRAMMY Museum & Recording Academy Announced Second Annual Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship

Cheers filled the room on July 28 as guests of the Recording Academy's Washington, D.C. Chapter block party — the chapter's first in four years. 

The world has changed significantly since the Chapter's last block party, but as Chapter President Tamara Wellons (who is also a gifted vocalist) noted, one thing remains the same: "Music is that thing that really helps us." 

The six-hour event provided the opportunity for both fellowship and knowledge-building. The first half featured a Creator Lounge, where panelists spoke on the nuances of an ever-changing industry and how musicians can adapt, advocate and monetize their work. The block party itself took place on the rooftop of THRōW Social D.C., and included finger foods, cocktails and performances by local artists. Among those artists was DJ Oji, a Brooklyn-bred and Baltimore-based house DJ.

The block party fell on the same day as The Day that Music Cares, the first-ever day of service for the music community. To commemorate this day, attendees were encouraged to bring school supplies for the chapter’s back to school drive. 

For Wellons, it was extremely important that the block party be equally diverse, informative, and fun. The goal was for the local music community to walk away with the knowledge they need to advance their careers.

"One thing we wanted to do was have our block party be just a little different  not just an average party," Wellons told GRAMMY.com. "We wanted to get organizations that offered grants, like the Maryland State Arts Council or the D.C. Commission [on The Arts & Humanities]. They have these grants and things that a lot of our music community don't know about and have not taken advantage of completely."

The advancement of knowledge about available resources, along with the idea of advocacy, were huge themes throughout the event. Members attended discussions about the potential uses of AI, the RAP Act and the importance of ensuring all creators get paid fairly.

The first panel, which was led by Todd Dupler, the Recording Academy’s Acting Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer, and Dr. Chelsey Green, the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, discussed the Academy’s efforts to fight on behalf of music creators.

"What's great about the Recording Academy is that we represent all creators, no matter their craft or their genre," Dupler said. "Especially here in the Washington D.C. chapter, there's always been great synergy between having a chapter in our nation's capital and the advocacy work that we do year-round." 

Members of the D.C. Chapter were also given exclusive access to register early for District Advocate Day, an initiative through which Recording Academy members across the country can get involved in the Academy’s advocacy work. 

"My hope is that [members] understand that we value not only what they do as an Academy member, but who they are as a working musician, [as well as] what needs they have as an artist and how we can support that," said Green, a skilled violinist and founder of the Green Project, an ensemble that aims to break down stereotypes around the violin and viola. "We're all part of one Academy, and that is what the Academy is about. It’s about the community supporting creators year-round."

The second panel, which was led by YouTube Music Global Music Strategist Lead Mahlet Seyoum, discussed YouTube monetization and how creators can benefit from the use of assets like YouTube Shorts. For Seyoum, it is important for marginalized creators, especially Black ones, are able to profit and receive the utmost credit for their work.

"I'm always going to be holding it down for us and making sure that the people who are really the bedrock of the culture — are producing the most content and are at the top of the charts — are able to monetize, profit off of and grow from their creativity, from their work and from their art," said Seyoum.

The block party portion of the event kicked off with performances by Pinky Tha Rapper and Noochie, two Washington D.C. rappers on the rise, along with sounds by DJ Joxfroxi. 

"[D.C.’s] just a very unique place when it comes to fashion, music, even the Black experience," said Noochie, who is known for his #FrontPorchFreestyles series on Instagram and is inspired by D.C.'s life and culture. "I've been to a lot of other cities, and I don't feel as comfortable as I do here. I consider myself lucky to be from here."

Other performers included DC-based indie soul band Oh He Dead, as well as three-time GRAMMY nominee Raheem DeVaughn and his go-go band, the Crank Crusaders.

Wayna, a GRAMMY-nominated singer and actress who co-authored the Best Song For Social Change Award, enjoyed each aspect of the block party, which allowed for learning, relaxation and entertainment. A newly elected member to the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees, she resonated greatly with the messages around advocacy.

"I became an artist because I wanted to tell stories, and very often the stories that I want to tell — and a lot of marginalized artists want to tell — are those of people who don't have a voice," she said. "The point of creating that empathy and connection through music is so that we can have a world where it's more equitable and people have more opportunities. That is the outcome of great art."

The energy at the block party certainly indicates that the Recording Academy's D.C Chapter knows how to party; but more than that, they know how to cultivate community and connection during a time at which those things are needed most. 

2023 GRAMMY Camp Musicians Share Their Artist Session Experiences

GRAMMY night is Music's Biggest Night — but it takes the whole year to get there.

If the GRAMMYs process seems fairly elaborate, that's because it is. It’s built on a finely tuned system that ensures the most fair, accurate and transparent process possible. And now, the Recording Academy is giving an inside look into the annual GRAMMY Awards process like never before.

The Recording Academy just unveiled a dynamic online hub giving artists, music professionals and music fans alike a deep dive into the annual GRAMMY Awards process. The reimagined GRAMMY Awards journey page, launched today, offers an interactive, engaging online resource for anyone looking to learn more about the inner mechanics behind the GRAMMYs. 

A comprehensive resource and online hub for all things GRAMMYs, the page explains the GRAMMY Award process in full, from submissions to GRAMMY voting to GRAMMY nominations and beyond, offering users many opportunities to dig deeper throughout the experience. It also includes a timeline of key GRAMMY dates and deadlines and overall GRAMMY Awards milestones.

The GRAMMY Awards journey page is a 24/7, 365 resource for Recording Academy voting members, artists and media companies submitting GRAMMY-eligible product, and nominees as well as everyday music fans.

Click here to get started and explore the GRAMMY Awards process in full.

The Online Entry Process For The 2024 GRAMMYs Explained: How To Submit, Upcoming Deadlines & Webinars, GRAMMY Nominations & Voting Process, And More