As 2024 gets underway, the Recording Academy is taking a moment to look back on the many advocacy accomplishments achieved in 2023. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication and help of our Recording Academy members.
Thanks to them, the past year was filled with meaningful change that will impact the music community for years to come.
Groundbreaking Partnership Launched WIth The State Department
Last year, the Recording Academy partnered with the U.S. Department of State to launch the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative.
This new partnership will amplify the power of music to uplift people around the world and includes the American Music Mentorship Program, a program created to connect Academy members with international music professionals, as well as the Quincy Jones Peace Through Music Award.
Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. joined Secretary Antony Blinken at a special event on September 27 to announce and celebrate the initiative.
Leading The Way To Protect Human Creativity
On March 16, the Recording Academy partnered with key stakeholders in the music community to launch the Human Artistry CampAIgn, a movement to protect human art and creativity as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop.
The Academy also worked closely with theUnited States Copyright Office and key lawmakers on Capitol Hill to ensure music creators are at the forefront of AI conversations across the country. On March 22, Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. hosted the U.S. Register of Copyrights in Los Angeles to provide a firsthand look at the ways AI is impacting music.\
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Throughout the year, the Academy and the Advocacy Team participated in panels, forums, and events to help shape the debate on AI.
On May 31, the Academy's Michael Lewan participated in a panel discussion with the Copyright Office to provide insight on the use of AI as a tool to help creativity, the need for copyright protection, and the importance of protecting an artist's name, image, and likeness from being used in AI generated content.
New Victories Won In The Fight For Free Expression
On April 27, the Restoring Artistic Protection Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives during GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day.
Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. and other Academy leaders and members spent the day on Capitol Hill fighting for the rights of music creators before joining Members of Congress for a press conference announcing the bill's reintroduction.
The Academy also made new progress to protect free expression for artists in states across the country. On August 1, the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (HB 475) took effect in Louisiana, making it the second state in the nation to enact a law that protects a creator from having their artistic expression used against them in court. We made notable progress to advance similar legislation in Missouri and New York.
Foundation Laid For Comprehensive Ticketing Reform
On December 7, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Fans First Act with the support and endorsement of the Recording Academy.
The Academy worked closely with Senate offices throughout the year to craft this legislation which reforms the ticketing marketplace to protect artists and their fans.
The House of Representatives also advanced ticketing legislation with the Academy's input, setting the stage for comprehensive reform to pass Congress in 2024.
*Vice President Kamala Harris. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for the Recording Academy*
Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop
On September 9, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective hosted the ultimate celebration of hip-hop at the Vice President's Residence. The historic event, led by the Academy's DEI Team, honored the global impact and influence of the genre.
On September 13, the Academy joined Members of Congress at the Capitol for a press conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and highlighting a resolution to recognize hip-hop's contribution to American art and culture.
Similarly, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced and passed a resolution designating August 11 as "Hip-Hop Celebration Day," the month of August as "Hip-Hop Recognition Month," and the month of November as "Hip-Hop History Month."
*The Recording Academy's New York Chapter with Rep. Jerry Nadler. Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images for the Recording Academy*
First GRAMMY Advocacy Conference Extends The Reach Of District Advocate Day
Despite having to adapt to unprecedented gridlock in Congress, the Recording Academy's annual District Advocate Day expanded its reach by producing the first ever GRAMMY Advocacy Conference.
Academy members still spent District Advocate Day meeting with nearly 100 Congressional offices, but they also had the opportunity to learn more about key issues impacting the music community through this special virtual conference.
State Advocacy Takes Off Across the Country
Throughout 2023, the Recording Academy expanded the scope of its advocacy reach by working on issues facing the music community in 13 different states including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, and Oklahoma.
Some examples include the members of the Texas Chapter meeting with state government officials in Oklahoma to elevate the local music community. The Recording Academy also worked in Pennsylvania to advance a bill to ban fraudulent, speculative concert tickets, while defeating anti-artist ticketing bills in Florida, Georgia, and Washington.
*Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images*
Bringing Creators’ Voices To Key Policy Debates
On January 24, Academy member Clyde Lawrence of the band Lawrence testified in front of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary at a hearing titled, "That's the Ticket: Promoting Competition and Protecting Consumers in Live Entertainment." Lawrence's testimony kickstarted a year-long focus on ticketing reform.
On June 27, Academy member and two-time GRAMMY winning songwriter, producer, and artist, Daniel Tashian, testified as the only active music maker at the House Judiciary Committee's field hearing in Nashville. The hearing examined the effectiveness of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) five years after it became law.
Academy’s Music Army Continues To Grow
Throughout 2023, we continued to expand opportunities for Academy members to get involved in our advocacy work.
Over 2,500 Academy members participated in various advocacy initiatives, proving time and time again that the Recording Academy is a force to be reckoned with in Washington, D.C. and in state capitals across the country.
The Recording Academy looks forward to continuing this work throughout 2024 — and continuing the fight for all music people worldwide.
