GRAMMYAWARDS
In November 2018, The Recording Academy overhauled its membership submission process for the first time
in 60 years. The new approach: a community-driven model, created in collaboration with the academy’s Task
Force on Diversity and Inclusion, that aims to widely expand the kinds of genres, backgrounds, ethnicities and age
groups represented in the Grammy voter pool. This past June, the organization announced its inaugural member class
under the new model: Of the 1,340 music creatives who received invitations, 49% are women, 41% are from traditionally
underrepresented communities and 51% are younger than 40. Several new members speak here about why they
wanted to join, what they hope to accomplish as Grammy voters and why they’re excited for the 2020 ceremony.
Rocking
Their
Votes
36 BILLBOARD • DECEMBER 7, 2019