Sophia Andrews is a policy and advocacy Intern with the Recording Academy in Washington, DC. Sophia is also a senior at American University studying International Studies in the Global Scholars program. At age 15, she founded Ngoma Kenya, a nonprofit that equalizes access to the arts to young people and children in Kenya. Through the organization, Sophia works with her team members, allowing young people to reach their full potential through self and cultural expression.
In an exciting step forward for the music community, the House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 3950, the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act, by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 388-24. This legislative success comes just two short weeks after the Recording Academy's GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day. During the GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day,…
On Tuesday, May 7, members of the Recording Academy’s New York chapter took to the state capitol in Albany. Their mission? To advocate for the passage of A.127, a crucial piece of legislation designed to safeguard the creative works of artists across New York. At the heart of A.127 is the protection of artistic freedom during legal proceedings. The bill,…
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…
Last week, spanning from Springfield to Sacramento, the Recording Academy continued to empower artists and creators through impactful state Advocacy Days. These Advocacy Days highlighted the Academy's unwavering commitment to championing legislative measures that protect and favor artists in the ever-evolving digital landscape. In Springfield, Illinois, Recording Academy members from the Chicago Chapter convened with members of the Illinois General…
The Recording Academy celebrated last week the advancement of improved ticketing reforms as Maryland achieves a groundbreaking milestone with the passage of SB 539. This legislative triumph not only means a new era of consumer and artist protections for live event tickets, but also positions Maryland as a national leader in holding ticket resellers accountable for fraudulent and deceptive practices…
In a significant stride towards protecting musicians' creative expression, the New York State Senate passed S. 1738 on March 27. This bill is aimed at safeguarding the free speech of artists, a fundamental part of making music. The Recording Academy has been a staunch advocate of S. 1738, working to advance the legislation in the last two legislative sessions of…
On Thursday, March 21, the Recording Academy celebrated an extraordinary moment for Tennessee's vibrant music community as Governor Bill Lee signed the groundbreaking ELVIS Act into law. The signing ceremony hailed as the "coolest bill signing ever" by Gov. Lee, took place at Robert's Western World, an iconic Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville, showcasing the deep connection between music and…
The Recording Academy continues to work across the country to protect creators from being exploited or manipulated by artificial intelligence (AI). Last week, attention was focused on the Illinois General Assembly, where hearings in both the House and Senate dove into HB 4875/SB 3325, critical legislation protecting the right of musicians and artists to control their image, likeness, and voice. …
Last week, Recording Academy members from across Maryland gathered in Annapolis for an exciting advocacy day to champion HB. 1429/SB. 662, Protecting the Admissibility of Creative Expression (PACE) Act. Introduced by Delegate Marlon Amprey and Senator Nick Charles, the PACE Act aims to safeguard artistic expression and uphold the First Amendment rights of Maryland's dynamic music community. Maryland's music industry…
This year's GRAMMY week served as a pivotal moment for the Recording Academy's Advocacy efforts, as the Advocacy team shined a light on the critical issues facing music creators by engaging with Members of Congress during advocacy briefings in Los Angeles. These briefings provided Members of Congress with a unique and intimate opportunity to hear from past GRAMMY winners and…
Despite the rainy Los Angeles weather, the 5th annual GRAMMY Advocacy Brunch dazzled at the Sun Rose during this year's GRAMMY Week. Hosted by the Recording Academy’s Advocacy Department and GRAMMY-winning duo, Brothers Osborne, the Brunch serves as a fundraiser for the GRAMMY Fund for Music Creators, ensuring that the Recording Academy continues to champion the most pressing issues facing…
Last week, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. served as one of four witnesses at the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee of Intellectual Property's Field Hearing on "Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Part II – Identity in the Age of AI." During his time in front of the subcommittee, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 2, during…
In the evolving landscape of technology, personalized generative artificial intelligence (AI) cloning models now enable human impersonation, allowing users to create unauthorized fake works using the image, voice and style of musicians, songwriters, and producers. These digital replicas — soundalikes that mimic music makers — may be fun, but absent the consent of the artist they pose a real threat…
In Jan. 2022, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) introduced the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act. On July 29, 2022, the Act passed through the House Foreign Affairs Committee. If signed into law, the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act would use music and music-related global exchange programs facilitated by the Department of State and relevant private sector…
