The Recording Academy Welcomes Over 2,400 Diverse Group Of Music Creators As Part Of Its 2023 Member Class

The Recording Academy has ushered in a new member class, and this year, it is composed of a diverse group of 2,400 music creators– a new record for the organization, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. Since implementing the new member model in 2019, which refined the new member submission process, the Academy says that membership among people of color has risen from 24% to 38%.

Of the new members, 50% are people of color, 46% are under 40, and 37% are women. These numbers come after the Academy announced new DEI measures to ensure a more diverse body of members earlier this year.

Like the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy relies on peer review to determine its incoming classes. The organization adopted this model in 2019, which has led to a substantial increase in representation due to the narrowed selection process. With this recent achievement, the Academy is on track to add at least 2,500 women Voting Members by 2025 and is ahead of schedule.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, spoke about the accomplishment.

“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,” he said. “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. 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 has three membership options — a voting membership for those in the recording industry, a professional membership for music businesspeople, and a GRAMMY U membership for emerging musicians.

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards are just around the corner, and members are nearing the final stage of voting, which begins Dec. 14, 2023, and ends Jan. 4, 2024. To learn more about the Recording Academy’s membership requirements, visit here.