The Recording Academy may be most visible for the GRAMMYs, but handing out awards is hardly all it does.
Rather, the world's leading society of music professionals works to change the music landscape for the better — and from a legislative standpoint, that channel is Advocacy.
There's significant overlap, too, between the artists you might see on TV and those who champion the rights of music people.
Read on for 10 GRAMMY nominees who have gotten involved with Recording Academy Advocacy — and consider how you, too, can get involved in this crucial process.
John Legend
As a singer/songwriter, John Legend may be busy enough to earn 12 career GRAMMYs. But that doesn't mean he hasn't made time to fight for music creators' rights.
In 2020, Legend participated in Recording Academy Advocacy's District Advocate Day,where he met virtually with the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), to discuss the importance of including music creators in COVID-19 relief funding. He also serves on the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees.
This year, he is nominated for GRAMMYs Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for his work on God Did by DJ Khaled, which also features Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend, Fridayy, and other leading lights.
Sean Paul
In April 2022, GRAMMY winner Sean Paul came to Washington, D.C. to be part of the first GRAMMYs On The Hill Advocacy Day in three years. \
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While in town, he met with multiple Congressional offices, including those of Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), to advocate for the passage of pro-music legislation such as the HITS Act and the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act.
Sean Paul's album, Scorcha, is nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album at the 2023 GRAMMYs — his 10th career nomination in all.
*Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and John Legend. Photo courtesy of the Recording Academy.*
PJ Morton
PJ Morton is not only a four-time GRAMMY-winning artist; he'salso a consistent advocate for the music community.\
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In 2020, Morton met virtually with House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) to urge Congress to pass legislation that would help creators financially recover from the pandemic. \
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Additionally, displayed his championhood for creator's rights when he met with Members of the House and Senate in 2019 during the Recording Academy's GRAMMYs On The Hill Advocacy Day and in his home state during the 2017 Louisianna Advocacy Day. PJ Morton is also a member of the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees.
This year, Morton is nominated for GRAMMYs for Best R&B Song ("Please Don't Walk Away"), Best R&B Album (Watch the Sun), and Best Gospel Performance/Song ("The Better Benediction").
Liz Rose
Two-time GRAMMY winner Liz Rose, is nominated for a GRAMMY for Song Of The Year for co-writing "All Too Well (10 Minute Version)" alongside Taylor Swift. This marks her sixth nomination ever.
In addition to being an accomplished songwriter, Rose has also been an advocate for the rights of creators. In 2018, she came to Washington to participate in the Recording Academy's annual GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards.
There, she paid tribute to honorees Little Big Town alongside fellow songwriters Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey — collectively known as the Love Junkies. She also lobbied for creators on Capitol Hill as part of GRAMMYs On The Hill Advocacy Day.
Brandi Carlile
In 2020, six-time GRAMMY winner Brandi Carlile was a special guest at the annual GRAMMY Fund Brunch, benefiting the GRAMMY Fund for Music Creators. \
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This fundraiser is crucial to the Recording Academy's Advocacy work by allowing the Academy to support Members of Congress who actively champion music creators within their legislation.
Carlile has been nominated for seven golden gramophones at the 2023 GRAMMYs — for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Americana Performance, Best American Roots Song, and Best Americana Album.
J. Ivy
At the 2023 GRAMMYs, J. Ivy's The Poet Who Sat by the Door is nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album — marking the second GRAMMY nomination of his career.
Ivy also participates in the Recording Academy Advocacy's annual District Advocate Day. Through the years, he's met with lawmakers in his state like Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) to make sure his representatives keep music creators in mind when crafting legislation.
*Shaggy and Sting with Daryl Friedman. Photo: Rebecca Sapp via Getty Images*
Shaggy
Two-time GRAMMY-winning artist Shaggy has also been a supporter for music creator's rights.
In 2018, Shaggy and frequent collaborator Sting participated in a moderated discussion at the GRAMMY Museum to discuss important pieces of legislation such as the Music Modernization Act — which became law just days later.
At the 2023 GRAMMYs, Shaggy Com Fly Wid Mi is nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album.
Fantastic Negrito
Back in 2018, Fantastic Negrito took his talents to Washington, D.C. for the Recording Academy's GRAMMYs On The Hill Advocacy Day.
Therein, he met with Members of Congress and their staff to discuss the importance of passing the Music Modernization Act (MMA) — which went on to become law just months later.
Fantastic Negrito's song "Oh Betty" is nominated for Best American Roots Performance at the 2023 GRAMMYs; previously, he's won three GRAMMYs for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
*Former Rep. Joe Crowley and Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Mark Sullivan/WireImage*
Kelsea Ballerini
In 2017, Bellerini participated in a GRAMMY Week Congressional Briefing hosted by the Recording Academy's Advocacy Department. During the briefing, Members of Congress had the opportunity to hear directly from music creators — such as Ballerini herself — on why passing pro-music legislation is so important.
This year, Ballerini is up for her third GRAMMY nomination for her song "Heartfirst," in the Best Country Solo Performance category.
*Tayla Parx. Photo: David Becker via Getty Images*
Tayla Parx
Not only did Parx participate in a Recording Academy webinar on mechanical licensing where she helped explain to artists how the service would benefit them; she participated in the 2022 GRAMMY Week Congressional Briefing.
As members of Congress and their staff looked on, Parx joined fellow women songwriters to discuss their experience as females in the industry, how COVID-19 impacted them, and what Congress can do to help.
This year, Parx is nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for her work on DOMi & JD Beck's NOT TIGHT. She is also nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for her work on Diana Ross's album Thank You.
District Advocate Day 2022 Is A Wrap. What Was Accomplished, And How Do We Move Forward?
