The Recording Academy, the company that produces the Grammy Awards, is on a journey to broaden the scope of its support for musicians worldwide.
The Academy has collaborated on a framework to strengthen the Academy’s presence and services in these quickly expanding music regions by signing agreements with Ministries of Culture and other stakeholders in the Middle East and Africa.
Engineers, producers, songwriters, musicians, and other industry professionals are all represented by the Recording Academy.
It also aims to maintain the recording arts as a vibrant component of common cultural history.
By supporting musicians in need through MusiCares and advocating on behalf of music creators through the Grammy Museum, the Academy both respects the history of music and invests in its future.
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The CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., said:
“African music, and especially South African music, is entering an exciting era as we finally collaborate with the Recording Academy in ways that will allow African music to be acknowledged and celebrated on a worldwide scale. We are honored to have progressed this exciting partnership. Music is one of humanity’s greatest natural resources, so this is exciting. Regardless of their origins, it is imperative that those who commit their lives to making music have opportunities, resources, and support.”
The Academy’s leaders have been visiting these areas over the last two years, taking part in listening sessions, and attending high-level briefings, tours, and demonstrations to get direct knowledge from the government ministries and artists pushing innovation in these industries.
The Academy collaborates with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Ministry of Sports, Arts, and Culture in South Africa, and the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), The Ministries of Culture in Kenya, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Nigeria.
The Ivory Coast and Ghana have also signed memoranda of understanding.
“The Recording Academy is dedicated to supporting music creators around the world,” said Recording Academy President Panos A. Panay.
“Our efforts to expand into these rapidly expanding regions are a reflection of our commitment to building a truly global music community. Where artists from all over the world and at all career stages have access to the tools and support they need to succeed.”
Additionally, the Recording Academy and the US State Department collaborated on a project last year to use music to promote peace.