Graphic of the Recording Academy's 2022 New Membership Class Announcement
The Recording Academy

Graphic: The Recording Academy

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How The Recording Academy's 2022 New Membership Class Reflects Its Ongoing Commitment To Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Composed of nearly 2,000 diverse music creators and professionals, the 2022 New Member Class signals the organization's continued progress toward cultivating a community that embodies the ethnicities, genres and crafts that power the music industry.

Recording Academy/Sep 9, 2022 - 04:52 pm

Like never before, the Recording Academy is committed to cultivating a community that embodies the ethnicities, genres and crafts that power the music industry. And this continued progress is beautifully reflected in the Recording Academy's 2022 New Member Class, which is composed of nearly 2,000 diverse music creators and professionals.

Of the invitees who accepted their Recording Academy membership invitation, sent to more than 2,700 music professionals in June, 44% are from traditionally underrepresented communities; 47% are under the age of 40; 32% are women; and 52% are male. The remaining 16% are composed of individuals who identify as non-binary and those who opted not to disclose.

The complete statistics surrounding the demographics of the Recording Academy's 2022 New Member Class can be found here and below.

The 2022 New Member Class marks four years since the Recording Academy transitioned to a community-driven and peer-reviewed annual cycle. This was in an effort to create a more diverse and engaged membership base representative of the ever-evolving musical landscape.

Since implementing the new model in 2019, the number of women members has increased by 19%, and membership among traditionally underrepresented communities has increased by 38% — now accounting for 31% and 33% of the Recording Academy's current membership, respectively.

Furthermore, the Recording Academy has added 1,913 women to its Voting Membership since 2019 and is now 77% of the way to reaching its goal of adding 2,500 women Voting Members by 2025.

Graphic showing statistics of the Recording Academy's 2022 new membership class demographics

In an annual address to the organization's membership body, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. highlighted the significance of Academy membership and each constituent's unique opportunity to create a lasting impact on the music community. In the address, Mason also highlighted key initiatives and milestones for the Academy and welcomed the organization's 2022 New Member Class.

"After years of listening, learning and putting in the work, we're beginning to see results of our efforts to diversify the Academy's membership come to life," Mason stated in his address. "Our members are the lifeblood of this organization, powering everything we do from the inside out. When we have diverse people representing all corners of the industry contributing unique perspectives, progress is achieved at a rapid pace.

"The journey is just beginning," he continued, "and I can't wait to work alongside our new and existing members to build on the Academy's commitment to effecting real, meaningful change."

The annual member address also underlined a series of further milestones, including the five new GRAMMY Awards categories created in June and to be awarded at the upcoming 2023 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 65th GRAMMY Awards: Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical; Best Alternative Music Performance; Best Americana Performance; Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media; and Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.

Just as monumental is the newly announced Best Song For Social Change award, a Special Merit Award curated by a Blue Ribbon Committee, which is now accepting submissions through Friday, Oct. 7.

Mason's address also underscored the Recording Academy's efforts in leading the fight for the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act in California and the RAP (Restoring Artistic Protection) Act on the federal level that would restrict the use of rap lyrics and other creative works in court. (Today is the deadline for Recording Academy members to register for District Advocate Day 2022, taking place on Thursday, Oct. 6. Learn more about and register for District Advocate Day here.)

Aside from submitting product for GRAMMY Awards consideration and voting during the GRAMMY Awards process, Recording Academy members can propose amendments to GRAMMY Awards rules; run for a Recording Academy Board position or Committee; vote in Chapter elections; support fellow musicians through Advocacy efforts and MusiCares initiatives; engage with the Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing and Songwriters & Composers Wing; and much more.

Learn more about the Recording Academy's membership process and requirements. And keep checking RecordingAcademy.com for more information and news about exciting developments regarding our Recording Academy membership initiatives and members, the beating heart of this society of music people.

Recording Academy Elects 19 New Leaders To Its 2022-2023 National Board Of Trustees

Maren Morris
Maren Morris

Photo courtesy of the Recording Academy™️/photo by Timothy Norris, Getty Images© 2024.

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Maren Morris On 20 Years Of GRAMMY Camp & Her Advice To The Next Generation Of Music Industry Professionals

Almost 20 years ago, a 15-year-old Maren Morris attended GRAMMY Camp, the GRAMMY Museum's signature music industry camp for U.S. high school students. This year, the GRAMMY-winning country superstar came full circle.

Recording Academy/Jul 17, 2024 - 10:27 pm

It's been decades since Maren Morris first attended GRAMMY Camp all the way back in 2005 — nearly 20 years ago. Still, she remembers precisely how she felt then and how much of a "rare opportunity" it was.

She met luminaries like Jimmy Jam and Paul Williams, and the setting made the then-15-year-old feel legitimized and creatively elevated. "I learned how to peer into myself and learn what unique thing I had to bring to the table musically," she tells the Recording Academy.

Since then, Maren Morris has had an entire career: She won a GRAMMY, received 17 GRAMMY nominations, joined the country music supergroup the Highwomen, topped the Billboard country charts, and much more.

Morris just had a full circle moment — Recording Academy style. On Monday, Morris returned to GRAMMY Camp, the GRAMMY Museum's signature music industry camp for U.S. high school students, as a guest artist to celebrate the program's 20th anniversary, which takes place in Los Angeles this week. She joins viral NYC bass phenom Blu DeTiger and captivating New Jersey singer/songwriter Jeremy Zucker. Together, they are guiding students on their paths to a career in the music industry. 

"I think that the main thing I'm imparting is that they don't need to rush their art or building their fan base," Morris says. "With social media and trending sounds and dances every day, it's easy to feel like you're getting lost or not keeping up fast enough with what your peers are doing.

"Just stick to being authentic," she continues, "and people see that, no matter what time they arrive to the party for you."

Another one of Morris' pieces of advice: Don't confuse loyalty with complacency. She explains that she likes to "shake up my production or co-writing comfort by working with new people who bring things out of me I wouldn't normally in a more comfortable creative situation."

In the end, "Find people that listen to you," Morris concludes, "but also push you and your creativity to new areas of yourself." There's no place better to do exactly that than at GRAMMY Camp, where the mentee can one day become the mentor and guide the next generation of artists and music industry professionals.

The 20th annual GRAMMY Camp celebration is running now and concludes with the GRAMMY Camp Finale Student Showcase on Saturday, July 20, at the Ray Charles Terrace at the GRAMMY Museum

Applications for GRAMMY Camp 2025 will be available online in September.

Learn more about GRAMMY Camp.

Explore GRAMMY Camp And The GRAMMY Museum

A photo of a person's hand holding a GRAMMY Award statue. The words "GRAMMYS ONLINE ENTRY PROCESS #SOUNDCHOICES" are written in purple and black against a yellow background.
The Recording Academy's Online Entry Process (OEP) for the 2025 GRAMMYs is now open.

Graphic courtesy of the Recording Academy

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How To Submit Your Music For The 2025 GRAMMYs: Deadlines & Webinars, GRAMMY Nominations & Voting Process, And More

The Recording Academy's Online Entry Process (OEP) for the 2025 GRAMMYs is now open. Submit your music and releases now for consideration at the 2025 GRAMMYs.

Recording Academy/Jul 17, 2024 - 06:13 pm

The Recording Academy's Online Entry Process (OEP) for the 2025 GRAMMYs has opened today. The Online Entry Process is the window in which all recordings, videos, and more are submitted for consideration to be included on the ballot at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards.

As the official kickoff to the upcoming GRAMMY season, the 2025 GRAMMYs Online Entry Process runs from today (Wednesday, July 17) through Friday, Aug. 30. All Recording Academy Members and Media Companies must submit their eligible recordings and releases for GRAMMY consideration during this period, regardless of the public release date.

The 2025 GRAMMYs will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

For those looking to submit their music and works for GRAMMY consideration at the upcoming 2025 GRAMMYs, the Recording Academy has produced this helpful guide explaining the process and upcoming deadlines.

What is the Online Entry Process and how does it work?

Marking the first step toward participating in the GRAMMY Awards process every year, the annual Online Entry Process is the period when registered Media Companies and Recording Academy Members (both Voting and Professional Members) can submit music and works for GRAMMY consideration at the 2025 GRAMMYs.

While the total amount of entries varies each year, the Recording Academy can receive more than 20,000 eligible entries during a GRAMMY season. Once we receive submissions, each entry is individually and manually vetted by a member of the Recording Academy's Awards staff to determine its eligibility.

After submissions are received during the Online Entry Process, the Recording Academy's Voting Members vote on said submissions across two GRAMMY voting rounds: First Round Voting determines the nominees for the majority of the categories at the annual GRAMMY Awards, while Final Round Voting determines the ultimate GRAMMY winners.

The full participation in our annual GRAMMY Awards process — from the Online Entry Period to Final Round Voting — on behalf of the Recording Academy's Membership and the music industry at large is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the GRAMMY Awards, music's only peer-voted honor.

Who can submit entries during the Online Entry Process?

Only registered Media Companies and Recording Academy members (Voting and Professional) can make submissions for GRAMMY consideration through the Online Entry Process.

The Recording Academy defines a media company as a legitimate business entity whose core business function is to create, aggregate and promote audio and/or video content for multiple artists for commercial purposes, and that must have verifiable product in national U.S. commercial distribution on our approved streaming platforms within the current eligibility period. It cannot just be an imprint in name only for a single or small number of artists.

When does Media Company registration open?

Media Company Registration for the 2025 GRAMMYs is open now and closes August 23 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET. Existing or new Media Companies may register here. Media Companies will receive further information by email pending registration approval. Reference the Online Entry Process resources for more information.

When does the Online Entry Process open?

The Online Entry Process for the 2025 GRAMMYs opens today (Wednesday, July 17) and closes Friday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET.

IMPORTANT: There is only one round in which to make entries during the Online Entry Process. We encourage everyone to submit their entries as early as possible so that the Recording Academy's Awards team can assist with any questions in a timely manner. If a recording is not formally submitted, it cannot be considered for a GRAMMY Award or a GRAMMY nomination.

What is the eligibility period for submissions for the 2025 GRAMMYs?

The eligibility period for the 2025 GRAMMYs is for recordings released Sept. 16, 2023, through Aug. 30, 2024. All releases must be available for sale, via general distribution, to the public by this date and through at least the date of the current year's voting deadline (final ballot) to be eligible for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards.

How do I submit recordings and releases for the 2025 GRAMMYs as a Recording Academy member?

  1. Recording Academy members, follow these steps to submit your music and releases during the Online Entry Process for the 2025 GRAMMYs:

  2. Log in to your Recording Academy Member dashboard and find the Submit To Online Entry Process button on the left side of your dashboard

  3. Once logged in, please review the provided resource documents and begin making your entries

  4. Make sure you submit your entries by the deadline: Friday, Aug. 30, by 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET

How do I submit recordings and releases for the 2025 GRAMMYs as a registered Media Company?

  1. Registered Media Companies, follow these steps to submit your music and releases during the Online Entry Process for the 2025 GRAMMYs:

  2. Visit the Entry Process & Registration Updates Page

  3. Click MAKE ENTRIES HERE (will direct you to entry site)

  4. Select MEDIA COMPANY LOGIN 

  5. Once logged in, please review the resource documents and begin making your entries

  6. Make sure you submit your entries by the deadline: Friday, Aug. 30, by 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET.

Who can vote for the 2025 GRAMMYs?

Each year, GRAMMY winners and GRAMMY nominees are determined as voted by the Recording Academy's Voting membership, which is composed of music creators, including artists, producers, songwriters, and engineers. Registered Companies are not permitted to vote in the GRAMMY Awards process.

Learn more about our GRAMMY Awards voting process and the full GRAMMY Awards process.

2025 GRAMMY Awards key dates:

Here is a list of all the key dates for the 2025 GRAMMYs:

Sept. 16, 2023 – Aug. 30, 2024
Product Eligibility Period
The period by which recordings are submitted for GRAMMY consideration. All releases must be available for sale, via general distribution, to the public by this date and through at least the date of the current year's voting deadline (final ballot) to be eligible for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards.

July 8, 2024 – Aug. 23, 2024
Media Company Registration Period
Media companies must apply for registration with the Recording Academy to submit recordings.

July 17, 2024 – Aug. 30, 2024
Online Entry Period
All eligible recordings must be entered prior to the close of the Online Entry Period, regardless of the public release date.

Oct. 4, 2024 – Oct. 15, 2024
First Round Voting
First Round Voting determines all the GRAMMY nominees for each GRAMMY Awards year.

Nov. 8, 2024
Nominees Announced for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards
Announcing the official nominees list for the 2025 GRAMMYs.

Dec. 12, 2024 – Jan. 3, 2025
Final Round Voting
Determines the GRAMMY winners across all categories revealed on GRAMMY night.

Feb. 2, 2025
2025 GRAMMY Awards
Music's Biggest Night, recognizing excellence in the recording arts and sciences.

Upcoming Informational Webinars & Additional Resources

To ensure a seamless experience for our members, the Recording Academy's Awards team is hosting a live demo of the Online Entry Process and a tour of the new entry site on Wednesday, July 24, at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET. Register for the webinar now.

As well, the entry site has many helpful resources, including the 2025 GRAMMYs Category Description Guide, GRAMMY Guidelines and Definitions, Entering Tips, FAQ, and other documents that further explain how to successfully make your entries.

For additional support, reach out to the following resources:

877.637.6816 (Awards Helpline)
onlineentry@grammy.com

Early Entry Pricing

Recording Academy members can enjoy five courtesy entries for the Online Entry Process. After this, members can take advantage of Early Entry Pricing through Wednesday, July 31, where each additional entry will cost $40 per entry.

Registered Media Companies can take advantage of Early Entry Pricing through Wednesday, July 31, where each entry will cost $65. After this date, entry fees will increase.

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards processread our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines, and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.

Latest Recording Academy News & Initiatives

2024 New Member Class
2024 New Member Class

Graphic: Courtesy of the Recording Academy

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2024 New Member Class: Music Creators & Industry Professionals React To Their Membership Invites On Social Media: “This Is Huge For Me And My People!”

The newly invited members took to social media to share their reactions to being invited to join the Recording Academy. The 2024 New Member Class invitees embody the Academy's dedication to mirroring the diverse and dynamic music industry landscape.

Recording Academy/Jun 28, 2024 - 10:50 pm

The Recording Academy, the organization behind the annual GRAMMY Awards, has proudly extended membership invitations to more than 3,900 music creators and industry professionals this week to join its 2024 New Member Class. 

The 2024 New Member Class, which exemplifies the Academy's commitment to reflecting today's diverse and dynamic music industry landscape, represents a significant step towards inclusivity and representation within the music industry. This year's 2024 class of invitees is 45% women, 57% people of color and 47% under the age of 40. With these new member invitees, the Recording Academy is on track to achieve its goal of adding 2,500 women Voting Members by 2025, reaching this milestone a year ahead of schedule. 

The deadline for accepting these invitations, and thus engaging in the full process for the 2025 GRAMMYs, is Wednesday, July 31. 2024 New Member Class invitees are encouraged to join our newly launched New Member Class broadcast channel to learn more about the Recording Academy and membership-related updates.

These invitations offer each potential new member an opportunity to power the Recording Academy's mission of cultivating the well-being of the music community, celebrating artistic excellence in the recording arts, advocating for creators' rights, investing in music's future through the GRAMMY Museum, and supporting music people in times of need through MusiCares.

The Recording Academy's membership invitation process is community-driven and peer-reviewed annually, focusing on two types of membership: Voting Membership for music creators and Professional Membership for music business professionals. Interested musicians and professionals must apply for membership by March 1 each year, and if approved by a peer review panel, they are invited to join the Recording Academy. (GRAMMY U is the third type of Academy membership and follows a distinct application process.)

To celebrate this milestone, many of the newly invited members have taken to social media to express their excitement and gratitude. Here are some highlights:

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process, read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines, and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.

Recording Academy: Latest News & Updates

Aluna, Bryant Von Woodson II, Ryan Butler and Tiffany Briggs Low
(L-R) Aluna, Bryant Von Woodson II, Ryan Butler and Tiffany Briggs Low

(L-R) Aluna, Bryant Von Woodson II, Ryan Butler and Tiffany Briggs-Low speak onstage during the Power in PRIDE event

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The Power In Pride: A Conversation Honoring The Resilience Of Black Queer Creatives With A Candid, Intersectional Discussion For Pride Month

At New York's Live Nation office, the Recording Academy's Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Ryan Butler, sat down with Queer Capita's Bryant K. Von Woodson II and DJ/musician Aluna for a nuanced Pride Month conversation.

Recording Academy/Jun 28, 2024 - 04:22 pm

"Everything you like was created by a queer person," musician and DJ Aluna proclaimed near the end of "The Power In Pride: A Conversation Honoring The Resilience Of Black Queer Creatives." (A seemingly bold statement — until you do some digging.)

Ditto a Black person. As the Recording Academy's VP of DEI, Ryan Butler, pointed out, just about every American music genre flows back to that source. "There is no pop music in America that is not a derivative of the Negro spiritual," he said across from Aluna.

"The queerness has been the innovation in it, but the Black community has been the foundation of it," Butler concluded. "So, I think when you have the foundation and the innovation together, it's worth celebrating 365 days a year."

When considering those two truths, two more truths emerge. First, without the contributions of Black and queer people, our world — including our musical landscape — would be unrecognizable. Second, to celebrate only in February, for Black History Month — or June, for Pride Month and Black Music Month — would be a grave disservice to both wellsprings of genius. Honoring Black and queer creators, as Butler pointed out, requires the entire calendar year. 

These themes were paramount at "The Power of Pride," a candid conversation at the Live Nation building in Manhattan, just as summer kicked off. Tiffany Briggs Low, the Director of Corporate and Communications at Live Nation, moderated the discussion between Butler, Aluna, and third panelist Bryant K. Von Woodson II, VIP Relations at Chapter 2 Agency and Head of Communications at Queer Capita. Von Woodson II introduced himself as a "curator of people" who connects BIPOC folks with crucial opportunities; Butler, as an "angelic disruptor"; Briggs-Low called Aluna "our sister in green" and "the curator of the vibes."

Briggs-Low kicked off the conversation with a heavy, dual prompt: "I would love to hear about why you feel it's important for the world to continue celebrating both Pride and Black Music Month, and what does the intersectionality of Black and queer identities mean to each of you?"

"I think that theme months each year do serve as a reset," Aluna stated, "and have you looking internally, and looking at what you've done and haven't done, and how you feel. To me, the queer community and the Black community have given so much," she continued, "and my mission is for us to just turn that around — to be giving it back to ourselves. Because there is an abundance of things that we create — and we never stop creating — but we need to be fed, and the well is running dry. And that upsets me."

To Aluna — who is Black, straight, and an ally of the Black queer community — this nourishment comes from "creat[ing] space" within these communities, and fostering "spirituality and deep, deep connection."

To that question, Von Woodson II — who is Black and queer — paraphrased Maya Angelou: "Between both communities, I stand as one, but I also really acknowledge the 10,000," he said referring to the philosophy from Angelou's work that credits the collective experiences of communities and ancestors who came before. 

"I think that's what this month is about," he continued. "Celebrating the 10,000 that got me to be able to sit on this stage, to have this conversation with you, to sit up here with some beautiful Black people, and really speak about our lives and ourselves."

Butler, who is also Black and queer, calls that intersection "a superpower." Yet the world doesn't always treat it as such — to put it lightly. As Butler related, just last weekend, he entered a function in Malibu, where the host said, "I'm going to sit you at the table where all the rappers like to sit."

"I don't really give rapper," Butler mused dryly. "You shouldn't be profiled in that type of way, and I definitely experience it in the corporate environment, still. I don't think that it always feels like a safe space.

"But that's also a litmus test for me," he added. "I know that there are other [people] who may feel this way, and so it also helps me make sure that I'm constantly applying pressure."

Von Woodson II expounded on the importance of being his authentic self, in spaces that might stifle that. "There is no hiding that I am clearly Black, but also queer," he said, before showing off his proudly flamboyant style of walking into a room.

"As I work with my clients, and I work with new people, I think I show up as authentic as I can," he continued. "And I just lay it on them and say, 'You either take it or you don't.'"

Aluna, for her part, highlighted the unfairness of Black artists being pigeonholed as featured artists.

"If I need to be an example of what's possible for the next generation, they can't just see me as Disclosure featuring Aluna, DJ Snake featuring Aluna, Avicii featuring Aluna, because that gives the message that that's all we're worth," she said. "You can't get booked as an artist in your own right, because they just don't see you as an artist.

"Managers across the board, bookers, labels — they're just hankering after your essence, your soul," Aluna continued. "But without your Blackness."

In supporting Black and queer communities — which takes a plethora of forms, for all different kinds of people — Butler warned against performative gestures. Aluna decried "the colonial separation between Blackness and queerness."

And Butler left the audience with a truth bomb: "There are going to be times where you are going to have to shield me with your privilege that I don't have."

But for all these heavier-than-heavy topics of identity, justice and belonging, "The Power In Pride" felt celebratory and familial. As the conversation wound down, the beats were turned up, and the audience was geared to get out and uphold Black and queer genius and solidarity — 365 days a year.

The Recording Academy thanks its partners — Live Nation and Queer Capita — for their efforts to make this event possible.

Latest Recording Academy News & Initiatives