The Recording Academy, the organization behind its renown The Grammys, is moving music diplomacy forward by encouraging cross-cultural collaboration, education, and advocacy.
The Grammys have been a signature staple and the most credited award ceremony for musicians around the world for decades. It has always been the platform to showcase the best of the best from various music genres. But as music continues to evolve and new musical styles emerge all over the world, The Recording Academy has recognized the importance of going global. As a result, the organization has been traveling around the world to meet music creators, explore music scenes for expansion, and learn more about the diverse musical cultures in Africa, the Middle East, and other regions.
The Recording Academy arrives internationally
Over the past few years, the Recording Academy has been on a mission to enhance its global presence and bring more diversity to the Grammys. Especially following recent raves and boycotts against the business and brand due to their lack of diversity and inclusivity. Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, has been a vocal proponent of music diplomacy and cross-cultural exchange since he began his tenure. In fact, Mason Jr., also a Grammy-nominated songwriter-producer who has worked with Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin, Justin Bieber, Toni Braxton, Chris Brown, and others, says he first went to Korea to work with K-pop performers more than a decade ago.
Harvey Mason Jr. vibrant vision for The Grammys and the Recording Academy
His vision for the Recording Academy is to be a beacon for inclusivity and diversity, promoting the message of peace and understanding through music. With the support of its members, partners, and policymakers, the Academy has the potential to make a significant impact on the world through music diplomacy.
“As we start traveling the world and meeting with these creators, we want to support them wherever they’re from. We’re not going places to try and get into politics or get into government. It’s about the creators. And think about the idea of using music to allow all these people from around the world to express themselves, to collaborate, to work with other people and tell different stories — that’s one of the big reasons why I strongly believe that it’s incumbent on the Academy to make sure we’re representing not just a small subset of music people, but a global group of music creators.”
Mason Jr. says the Academy has spent time on the road “meeting with music people, meeting with ministers of culture, meeting with influential people, government, leadership to really get a sense of what they’re working on in their areas”.
Fast forward to date and the most recent development in this direction is the announcement of a new category for African-based artists starting in 2024. The best African music performance category will increase exposure to artists from Africa and further diversify the list of nominees and winners. This is a significant step towards recognizing Africa’s AfroBeats music scene, which has a rich and diverse musical culture rooted in various traditions. In Africa specifically, Mason jr. says the continent is an open market for musicians to find audiences who can consume their music.
The Grammys is Breaking monumental musical boundaries
The Academy’s commitment to music diplomacy is not limited to the United States. For the second consecutive year, the Academy will be an official partner of the Abu Dhabi Culture Summit, where it will participate in workshops and dialogues about the Middle Eastern music scene. Furthermore, the 2022 Grammy Awards featured a segment dedicated to the war in Ukraine, which included an address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and an original song by John Legend. The Grammys First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, also presented the inaugural Best Song for Social Change Award to the Iranian protest song “Baraye” by Shervin Hajipour.
Beyond symbolic, the Academy’s efforts to promote music diplomacy extend into education. In order to provide resources and training to aspiring musicians from underrepresented regions and backgrounds, the organization frequently collaborates with colleges and cultural institutions. Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, an Afghan-Australian ethnomusicologist who created the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, is one famous example. The Academy celebrated his work at the 2021 Grammys on the Hill, an event that brings together music producers and policymakers to fight for the economic and social benefits of music.
The Recording Academy soars with social change through music
Additionally, the Recording Academy has also been partnering with various organizations around the world to promote social change through the power of music. This year, the Academy teamed up with the United Nations to launch a campaign that encourages artists to use their talent to support human rights issues. Including advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, women’s empowerment, and climate justice. This initiative highlights the influence of music beyond just entertainment and the potential for musicians to inspire change through their work.
With that being said, building on broadening their boundaries, the Grammys have long recognized the importance of Latin music on the world stage. Because of this, the Latin Recording Academy has been celebrating this genre for 25 years. This year, they have taken it a step further by holding the Latin Grammys outside of the U.S. for the first time. The ceremony will take place in Sevilla, Spain. It is a clear indication of the expansion of the Recording Academy’s global reach. This move is not only a recognition of the popularity of Latin music but also a nod to the growing presence of Latinx communities in various parts of the world.
The Grammys’ initiative to go global and explore musical cultures beyond the Western hemisphere is a welcome move. It acknowledges that music is a universal language. The diverse sounds from different countries and regions are essential to the musical landscape. By expanding its reach, the Recording Academy is not only recognizing the contributions of musicians from all over the world, but also giving them a platform to showcase their talent to a global audience. We can expect this initiative to further diversify the Grammys and bring new voices to the forefront in the ever-evolving global music industry.
The Grammys go global!
Now, the Recording Academy and its members have recognized this potential. In doing so, they are actively working to promote music diplomacy around the world. From collaborating with K-pop artists to highlighting underrepresented musicians in conflict zones, the Academy is leading the charge for a more peaceful and harmonious future. As music lovers and supporters, we can all help by raising the voices of musicians. While promoting the importance of music in our culture here at Remixd Magazine! We can create a global effect through the universal language of music if we work together.
