The Recording Academy announced on Monday that more than 2,700 music professionals have been invited to join the 2021 voting body to create a more diverse membership.
The Academy shared that the 2021 class of invitees is 48 percent female, 32 percent Black, 13 percent Hispanic or Latino, and four percent Asian or Pacific Islander. The Academy’s current membership comprises 26 percent females and 27 percent from traditionally underrepresented groups. Since announcing their goal of adding 2,500 women voting members by 2025 back in 2019, 831 women have since joined the Academy’s voting body. This represents a 33 percent increase in female members.
“Membership is the Academy’s change agent — our members drive everything we do,” Chief Industry Officer at the Recording Academy Ruby Marchand said. “I’m inspired by the potential for each invited music creator and business professional to lend their creativity and passion to our organization. We are immensely proud of our accomplishments and the strides we’ve made toward equitable representation. We look forward to welcoming our new invitees as they help us shape the future of the Academy and the music industry.”
To participate in the voting process for the following Grammy Awards, invitees have to accept their invitations by September 15, 2021. Ballots open for the 2022 Grammys on October 22 and close on November 5. The 64th Grammy Awards are scheduled to occur on January 31 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
