Over the weekend, the Recording Academy will hit a quiet yet significant milestone: 65 years will have passed since its inception. How does one even come to terms with the enormity of this legacy? 

No online post could encapsulate everything that’s happened with the Recording Academy since 1957 — a year Eisenhower was president, Elvis reigned in the charts, and the Space Race heated up.

Still, it’s worth pausing and considering how the seeds were sown all those years ago and how the Recording Academy is flourishing as a renewed organization in 2022.

1955: The First Seeds

In response to a request from the Hollywood Beautification Committee, five top L.A.-based record executives met on April 28 to determine names of artists worthy of their own star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame.

In attendance were Paul Weston of Columbia, Lloyd Dunn of Capitol, Sonny Burke of Decca, Jesse Kaye of MGM, and Dennis Farnon of RCA Victor. The focus was to develop criteria to use as a "yardstick" to determine which names should be submitted.

This meeting also illustrated the growing importance of having a "proper means for rewarding people on an artistic level" — similar to the motion picture and TV groups. This group later became known as the Founder's Committee.

On May 20, Paul Weston presented criteria on how to best determine which artists should receive a star to the other members of the Founder's Committee. The total number of record sales was the primary benchmark used to select artists for this project.

1957: The Academy’s Beginning

On May 28, The Founder's Committee met again: "A Group to Form a Record Award Society" convened at the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood.

The meeting opened with a general discussion of the classifications for which awards should be given and current procedures. The name agreed upon for this new organization? The Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Dunn made the motion that "James Conkling become temporary chairman of the committee for the formation of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences."  The motion was seconded by Mr. Weston and carried unanimously. 

Questions and concerns regarding the criteria to be used as a benchmark for the Hollywood Beautification Committee were discussed — and in attendance with the Founder's Committee was former Columbia Records president James B. Conkling.

Flash Forward To 2022

When asked about the incredible strides the Recording Academy has made in recent years, CEO Harvey Mason Jr. offered a rejoinder.

“That'll take up the whole interview — we don't have time for all the positive developments!” he told RecordingAcademy.com with a smile. “The great work that MusiCares has been doing over the last however many months during COVID. The way we're changing our membership. The way we're inviting members. The way we're constituting our boardroom. The way we're working in education initiatives. Our internship program; the Black Music Collective; our advocacy work at the GRAMMY Museum.”

Mason went on to touch on a crucial tentpole of the Recording Academy: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This commitment to giving all music people a fair shake manifests in communications, artist outreach, leadership, and so many other avenues.

For more information on the Recording Academy’s astounding developments in service to the global music community, check out the article “New Vision, New Era, One Academy” in the 2022 GRAMMYs program book on page 130.

And this weekend, let’s ring in the Recording Academy’s 65th birthday — both with a nod to the past, but a renewed commitment to render service to all music people in the years to come.

Everything You Need To Know About The Recording Academy's 2022 Chapter Board Elections

Becoming a member of the Recording Academy is no mere title or honorific. Academy members directly impact the global music community for the better. Without our Membership, the Recording Academy wouldn't exist at all.

By getting directly involved with the Academy's various divisions and initiatives, artists, creators and industry professionals can expand their participation in the music world to the next level. Our newest members, who just joined the Recording Academy as part of our 2023 New Member Class, perfectly embody this spirit. This newly inducted, record-breaking class represents a diverse group of 2,400+ music creators. In a demonstration of the Academy's commitment to remaking its overall membership, 50% of the new class are people of color, 46% of this year's class are under the age of 40, and 37% are women. See the full statistics surrounding the demographics of the 2023 New Member Class and a snapshot of the Recording Academy's 2023 DEI initiatives.

To celebrate our 2023 New Member Class, we're spotlighting some of our newest Recording Academy members, including Weyes Blood, Bedouin, Gera MX, and others. Learn more about the many reasons why they joined the world's leading community of music professionals.

Learn more about Recording Academy Membership and join now.

Read More: 50 Percent Of The Recording Academy's 2023 New Member Class Are People Of Color

Weyes Blood | Photo: Neelam Khan Vela

Weyes Blood

What inspired you to become a Recording Academy member?

Recorded music is my lifeblood. I wanted to see and be a part of the whole process that acknowledges some of the best recorded music of our times, and the Recording Academy is the best way to recognize the contributions of the wider music community.

Now that you are an active Recording Academy member, what are you most looking forward to? What do you hope to gain from your experience?

As someone who listens to a lot of music from the past, I look forward to exploring newer records on a more regular basis. I also look forward to listening to a wider variety of genres outside of my normal wheelhouse.

With the help and guidance of the Recording Academy, what do you hope to contribute to the music community as a new member?

I hope to contribute my weird perspective. As somebody who started in the DIY experimental music scene and collecting odd records, I feel like my input would come from a passionate and progressive place.

What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you? Why is it important to you?

It means getting to shed light on people that pour their hearts and souls into a recording. I feel very privileged to be admitted. All my years of experiencing and transcending through music will be put to good use, and staying connected with music — not only as a songwriter and singer, but as a listener — is very important to me.

Gera MX | Photo Courtesy of Gera MX

Gera MX

What inspired you to become a Recording Academy member?

I feel that one of my missions as an artist is to continue contributing to the growth of new talents who may have great opportunities like the ones I have had.

Now that you are an active Recording Academy member, what are you most looking forward to? What do you hope to gain from your experience?

I look forward to continuing to meet new talents as well as experienced colleagues. Also, new professionals who can add to my vision. And, of course, maybe very soon to see a GRAMMY Award in my cabinet.

With the help and guidance of the Recording Academy, what do you hope to contribute to the music community as a new member?

I hope to continue giving you music for many more years, that it can reach new corners of the world and connect with new people.

What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you? Why is it important to you?

It is very important to me. It is a milestone in my career and, for me, it means having reached a new level in my career.

It is great for me to become a member of the Academy and contribute to the mission of continuing to grow the name of all Mexican and Latino artists, creatives and professionals who contribute their grain of sand to this industry every day.

Bedouin | Photo: Ben Price

Bedouin

What inspired you to become a Recording Academy member?

Becoming a Recording Academy member was fueled by the desire to immerse and align ourselves with this vibrant community of exceptionally talented musicians. The electronic music industry has grown immensely in recent years, and we're honored to be a part of that growth. We're excited that artists in our genre are finally being recognized for their contributions to the history of music. 

Now that you are an active Recording Academy member, what are you most looking forward to? What do you hope to gain from your experience?

We are so excited and honored for the opportunity to continue advocating for and shining a spotlight on the electronic music genre as Recording Academy members. Electronic music is a multibillion-dollar industry, yet it still struggles to get mainstream recognition.

As part of the Recording Academy, we look forward to being a representative of our genre and helping to further establish it alongside the other popular, more conventional genres. We hope to use this opportunity to bridge the gaps between genres, collaborating and exchanging ideas with fellow music professionals from various backgrounds.

This vibrant network provides a platform to push boundaries and redefine musical conventions.

With the help and guidance of the Recording Academy, what do you hope to contribute to the music community as a new member?

First and foremost, we hope to further champion diversity within the music industry — with a specific focus on music and musicians of Middle Eastern descent.

As a Recording Academy member, we have the unique opportunity to push for a more inclusive industry that reflects the global richness of musical traditions from all over the world. 

Additionally, we're excited to act as a representative for the electronic music space and will work to bring that community more respect, credibility and awareness overall. Electronic music is the moment, right now! And we're excited to be part of the movement that brings the genre into the spotlight.  

What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you? Why is it important to you?

It's a distinct privilege to be recognized alongside other professional creatives that share a deep dedication to their craft. After such a monumental year for our own artistic journey, to be accepted into the new member class of the Recording Academy is truly a capstone moment. 

Our sonic vision pulls from our diverse personal influences, Middle Eastern heritage and Western upbringing. To now receive this level of recognition from the world's leading society of music professionals — it's an honor to be not only a face for electronic music, but also for all Middle Eastern musicians.

Rap-Unzel | Photo: Armani Lyons/Lyons Pride Photography

Rap-Unzel

What inspired you to become a Recording Academy member?

I was inspired to become an Academy member when I learned about the different ways I could get more involved in the industry through various membership opportunities. Being a part of an organization that celebrates artists and creatives is right where I want to be!

Now that you are an active Recording Academy member, what are you most looking forward to? What do you hope to gain from your experience?

I look forward to connecting with my fellow members and industry peers, as that's a way for me to continue my growth as an artist and be part of change. I feel there's always a takeaway and learning opportunity in everything I do, so I look to gain more knowledge from my experience as an Academy member!

With the help and guidance of the Recording Academy, what do you hope to contribute to the music community as a new member?

As a new member, I'm excited to have the opportunity for my voice to be heard in new rooms! I hope to advocate for the many different lanes there are for artists, especially female rappers. There are so many different sounds and styles with space for all of them in the industry. I'm here to show my lane.

What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you? Why is it important to you?

As a songwriter and recording artist, my words mean a lot to me, and music is one of my first true loves. So, naturally, being a member of the Recording Academy means so much! It's important to me because I stand by the Recording Academy's mission, and I want to do my part in ensuring that the music community continues to thrive!

Duncan Daniels | Photo: Yanran Xiong

Duncan Daniels

Now that you are an active Recording Academy member, what are you most looking forward to? What do you hope to gain from your experience?

I plan to help bring more awareness to the vast community of Afrobeats artists based in the diaspora, most especially here in the U.S. I also look forward to connecting and collaborating with my peers to make some amazing music.

With the help and guidance of the Recording Academy, what do you hope to contribute to the music community as a new member?

I would love to contribute by mentoring younger, budding musicians who intend on growing their music industry knowledge and career.

What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you? Why is it important to you?

It means that my peers saw my years of contribution to music as a whole and deemed me worthy to be a part of this prestigious body. It has been a great aspiration of mine ever since I started making music more than 20 years ago.

I never imagined I would get here, so it's still surreal. I also have a chance to submit my works and works of other great artists I know for GRAMMY consideration, and that's huge.

OG Parker | Photo: Armen Kaleshian

OG Parker

What inspired you to become a Recording Academy member?

Growing up, watching some of my favorite musicians at the top of their game [and being] appreciated and honored by their peers and music professionals within the Academy inspired me to hopefully be a part of such a coveted institution. For it to be a reality for me now, I'm extremely grateful and honored.

Now that you are an active Recording Academy member, what are you most looking forward to? What do you hope to gain from your experience?

I hope to be a trusted voice of reason and help continue the tradition of greatness the Recording Academy has created by offering my expertise and love for amazing music.

With the help and guidance of the Recording Academy, what do you hope to contribute to the music community as a new member?

Being a new member of the Recording Academy, I hope to contribute my unique talents and experience and learn from and build with the legendary veterans that have helped make the Academy what it is; together, we [can] elevate it to even new heights.

What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you? Why is it important to you?

I will never take for granted being a part of the organization that provides the highest honor and award in music. I've given music all I have, and to continue to have the opportunity to push and advocate for musicians as a musician [myself], especially at this level, I am truly blessed and appreciative.

Trousdale | Photo: Raea Palmieri

Trousdale

What inspired you to become a Recording Academy member?

The Recording Academy has such a long legacy of honoring music and artists that have inspired us, and we're so excited to become a part of that legacy. To be able to share the positivity that we try to spread with our music and inspire future artists is such an honor.

Now that you are an active Recording Academy member, what are you most looking forward to? What do you hope to gain from your experience?

As active members of the Recording Academy, we're really looking forward to the chance to meet new people and to share our voices within this community that shares our love of music. We are also really looking forward to the opportunity to cast our votes for the GRAMMYs in support of artists we love.

With the help and guidance of the Recording Academy, what do you hope to contribute to the music community as a new member?

The three of us have always been very proud of the fact that we write and produce and record the majority of the music we release. We really hope that as members of the Recording Academy, we can inspire other young women who are thinking about writing their own music and telling their own story.

What does being a member of the Recording Academy mean to you? Why is it important to you?

Art is how we make sense of the world and connect to other people, so it means the world to us to be able to voice the value of that art through the Recording Academy, to make sure it continues to be a pillar of connection in society.

4 Ways To Maximize Your Recording Academy Membership

The Recording Academy's commitment to remaking its membership isn't just dogged and ongoing: it's the kind of thing that breaks records.

More than 2,400 diverse music creators have joined the Recording Academy as part of the organization's 2023 New Member Class. In a demonstration of the Academy's commitment to remaking its overall membership, 50 percent of the new class are people of color, 46 percent of this year's class are under the age of 40, and 37 percent are women.

Full statistics surrounding the demographics of the new class can be found here, and a snapshot of the Recording Academy's 2023 DEI initiatives can be found here.

Like the GRAMMYs — which return Feb. 4 — the Recording Academy's membership model is community-driven and peer-reviewed to create a more diverse and engaged membership base that represents all corners of the music industry.

Since the Academy's 2019 implementation of the new member model — which refined the new member submission process — membership among people of color has swelled from 24 percent to 38 percent. The percentage of women members has also increased, from 26 percent to 30 percent.

The Recording Academy is happy to report that it's 98 percent of the way to reaching its goal of adding 2,500 women Voting Members by 2025. The Academy is set to achieve this milestone a year ahead of schedule, in 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@recordingacademy)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@recordingacademy)

"I'm proud as our organization continues to evolve and build a membership body that reflects the diverse talents and backgrounds that make up our music community," Harvey Mason jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. "Our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, however, is an ongoing effort.

"While we celebrate our progress, we also acknowledge that there's still more work that must be done," Mason continued. "Our members play a crucial role in everything we do, so representation is integral to our mission of supporting and uplifting music makers. I'm thrilled to welcome this year's new class and look forward to watching them engage with our Academy for years to come." 

The Recording Academy offers three types of membership: Voting Membership for recording creators, Professional Membership for music businesspeople, and GRAMMY U for the next generation aspiring to a career in the music industry.

The final round of voting for the 2024 GRAMMYs is open from Dec. 14, 2023 – Jan. 4, 2024, and determines the winners of the GRAMMY Awards across all 94 categories. Voting Members, including those welcomed in the 2023 new class, are eligible to vote for the GRAMMY Awards.

In addition to voting in the GRAMMY Awards process, members can submit product for GRAMMY Awards consideration, 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, engage with our Producers & Engineers Wing, Songwriters & Composers Wing, Black Music Collective, and more.

For more information on the Recording Academy's membership process and requirements, visit here — and stay tuned as more exciting news regarding membership comes down the pike!

Here's What Went Down At The Recording Academy's New York Chapter GRAMMY Career Day

The Recording Academy has been devoted to supporting the progression of musical excellence for more than six decades. Through its NEXT Class program, founded in 2014 by the organization's Los Angeles Chapter, voting and professional members 21-35 years of age are provided real-life experiences to foster their budding careers as they begin their paths as future leaders of the music industry. 

The NEXT Class of 2023 featured 15 accomplished participants from various industries, backgrounds and professional experiences. The students participated in multiple Mentoring Circles with esteemed Recording Academy members and gained networking opportunities to grow a deeper understanding of the industry. Areas of focus included music business, music licensing & music supervision, music marketing & technology, production & engineering, and songwriting. 

"Here is the NEXT Class of 2023, innovative, devoted, globally sound and readied for future success. What an honor to congratulate our NEXT Class of 2023 on their participation and announcement. I look forward to attracting even more stellar talent in the future," Qiana Conley Akinro, Sr. Executive Director of the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter, said.

"At the Recording Academy, we are in a unique position that allows us to build community and connect professionals in the music industry that might not usually have the opportunity to do so. The NEXT Class of 2023 is a prime example of this community building in action," Luke Savage, Operations Manager of the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter, said. "Up-and-coming creators and professionals were able to network and learn from each other in intimate Mentor Circles, inspiring future collaborations and even friendships among the classmates and mentors." 

To celebrate the NEXT Class of 2023, the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter is highlighting some of this year's participants and mentors. Get to know the NEXT Class of 2023 in their own words.

"There is nothing that I enjoy more than sharing my industry knowledge, experience and perspective with the next generation. At the same time, I have learned so much from them and it has helped guide me and my company as we look to embrace trends that will connect our artists with their fans in a deeper way." – Jonathan Azu, NEXT Class of 2023 Mentor

"When I received the acceptance email into the NEXT Class program, my 'self-value' went up! Definitely felt excited and grateful that my work in the music community was being appreciated by the Recording Academy. Within the NEXT Class program, I had the opportunity to be mentored by JoJo Villanueva in the music supervision division. What a pleasure! Big love to the staff at the Los Angeles Chapter: Luke Savage, Qiana Conley, Samantha Takemori, Anngela Hanks. Looking forward to doing more, because when we learn, we create value, and we share that with others we connect with." – Jared Oluwa, NEXT Class of 2023 Participant

"NEXT Class provides connection between fellow creatives across the wide gamut – from developing to established – opening up a wide dialogue and fostering relationships, which are invaluable. Throughout my career thus far, I have found visibility and access to be two highly significant commodities in the current music industry landscape. NEXT promotes both as part of its mission. So happy to have been welcomed into the NEXT Class community!" – Alexandra Petkovski, NEXT Class of 2023 Participant

"I thoroughly enjoyed the chat that I had as a mentor during the NEXT Class program. My hope was to have a group of mentees who were eager to hear about my experience as well as share some of their own experiences. The group was very engaging, asked a lot of questions, and were in tune with wanting to learn, even outside of their particular industries. I left the chat feeling inspired, and I hope the mentees did as well." – Kendra Ellis, NEXT Class of 2023 Mentor

"Being a part of NEXT Class of 2023 was an incredibly special experience for me. I learned a lot from unique insights from incredible songwriting mentors like JP Saxe and Eric Bellinger, and I got to connect with exceptionally talented, like-minded peers across many genres. As a fairly recent addition to the Recording Academy, the experience left me feeling warmly welcomed into the GRAMMY family. I would highly recommend anyone who is thinking of applying for the program to do so!" – Mike Casey, NEXT Class of 2023 Participant

"Being a part of the NEXT Class of 2023 has broadened my mind and my network. Not only did I get to meet like-minded individuals in my cohort, but I had the privilege of speaking with an industry leader in the sync placement and music licensing world, and that connection has led to other connections that have created opportunities for my organization and the musicians we support. My goal in applying for the NEXT Class program was to learn new things and meet people that can help me further my mission of providing opportunities to and creating avenues for success for neurodivergent musicians. This goal was exceeded, and I'm looking forward to participating in other programs and initiatives that the Recording Academy, specifically the Los Angeles Chapter, has to offer." – Ifunanya Nweke, NEXT Class of 2023 Participant

"The NEXT Class program gave me a mentor who immediately changed my life. We've walked a very similar path, and his success has motivated me to keep pushing toward every goal I've set. I'm blessed to continue working with the Recording Academy on so many different levels." – Cameron Parsons, NEXT Class of 2023 Participant

The Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter congratulates the NEXT Class of 2023 participants and mentors!

Meet the NEXT Class of 2023 Participants:

• Shalev Alon

• Pamela Charbit

• Eddy Kenzo

• Cameron Parsons

• Courtney Passikoff

• Brittany Perry

• Brandon Holman

• Ifunanya Nweke

• Jared Oluwa

• Tia P.

• Randy Slaugh

• Mike Casey

• Kate Diaz

• Alexandra Petkovski

• Rhea Raj 

Meet the NEXT Class of 2023 Mentors:

• JP Saxe – Singer/songwriter

• Eric Bellinger – Singer/songwriter

• Jonathan Azu – Founder and CEO at Culture Collective

• Jojo Villanueva – SVP, Music Creative Affairs at Sony Pictures Entertainment

• Kendra Ellis Johnson – VP of Marketing for Music, Film & TV Soundtracks at Atlantic Records

• Brian Lucey – Mastering engineer and owner at Magic Garden Mastering

• Kizzo – Record producer, songwriter, and music entrepreneur

• Dale Becker – Engineer at Becker Mastering

Voting and Professional Members within the age range of 21-35, at the time the application goes live, are eligible to apply to the NEXT Class program. NEXT Class of 2024 application details will be available to LA Chapter Members in November 2023.

Learn more about the Recording Academy's Los Angeles Chapter and its initiatives.

The Recording Academy Proudly Invites Nearly 3,700 Music Creators & Professionals To Join Its 2023 New Member Class

The Recording Academy's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team, along with the GRAMMY Museum, have announced five recipients for the 2023 Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship: Aliyah Durazo (California State University Fullerton), Dilan Hoskins (Tennessee State University), Olivia Moyana Pierce (Northwestern University), Emmanuel Strickland (Tennessee State University), and Vashed Thompson (University of Texas at Austin).

Established in 2021, the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the late music executive and DJ Quinn Coleman, is a financial scholarship and comprehensive internship program that aims to eliminate barriers in the music industry by providing professional development opportunities to help students prepare for full-time employment. Each of the five recently announced recipients will serve as interns and collaborate closely with the GRAMMY Museum, the Recording Academy, and their affiliated Chapters. As well, each intern will be awarded two $1,000 scholarships for tuition, a $500 stipend for interview preparation, two $250 stipends for books and equipment, and further funding to invest in their personal portfolios. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to undertake a spring internship at the Recording Academy or Latin Recording Academy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GRAMMY Museum (@grammymuseum)

The recipients, who hail from different cities across the country, hold various interests in careers in music. Durazo is a senior from California State University Fullerton interested in marketing; Hoskins is a sophomore at Tennessee State University interested in commercial music; Pierce is a senior at Northwestern University interested in music supervision; Strickland is a junior at Tennessee State University interested in music composition; and Thompson is a sophomore at University of Texas at Austin interested in digital marketing and public relations.

Honoring the life and legacy of Quinn Coleman, who tragically passed away at 31 in 2020, the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship was established by his family through the GRAMMY Museum to keep his memory and impact alive.

Learn more about the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship.

Follow the progress and future announcements regarding the Recording Academy's DEI initiatives and learn more about the GRAMMY Museum.

GRAMMY U Membership Expands: How The Program Increases Inclusivity Beyond College Enrollment