HOLLYWOOD, CA — With the Grammy nomination recently announced, the Recording Academy is gearing up for another exciting and fantastic award show on February 5, 2025. Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, reflects on his journey and the profound changes he has witnessed throughout the music industry. Throughout his career as a producer and now as a leading figure in the Recording Academy, he has observed significant progress toward inclusivity and representation.
“We’ve come a long way in our industry and there’s still a lot of work left to do,” Mason acknowledges, highlighting the significant strides made in integrating diverse talents from varying genders, ethnicities, and musical genres. This progress is a testament to the potential for even greater diversity and inclusivity in the future of the music industry.
His work remains rooted in the commitment to ensuring that the Academy reflects and celebrates the myriad voices that populate today’s music landscape.
Looking back on memorable Grammy moments, Mason expresses awe at the artists they have showcased.
“Every artist that we get on our stage, I’m kind of in awe of,” he shares.
The diversity and richness of talent, particularly in Black music and excellence, are sources of immense pride. This sense of representation has expanded to include more nominees from underrepresented communities, with recent years seeing a notable increase in women nominees and performers.
The evolution of hip hop, particularly its embrace of women emcees, is another area where Mason has witnessed transformative growth. Artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Rapsody, and Lady London are finally receiving the recognition they deserve. “There’s some incredible women hip hop artists right now,” Mason notes, acknowledging the surge of talent that is now capturing the spotlight. The 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop last year served as a powerful showcase of this artistic dynamism, exemplifying the Academy’s commitment to reflecting the genre’s impact.
Mason also reflects on the careers of iconic figures such as Dr. Dre and Jay-Z, both recipients of the Global Impact Award.
“[Dr.] Dre won it two years ago. Jay-Z won it last year. Obviously, two very, very influential and impactful producers, philanthropists, educators, generally all around big-time contributors to our community.”
He praised their lasting influence as producers, philanthropists, and educators.
“I’ve been a fan of their music my whole entire life,” Mason expressed, appreciating their ongoing involvement with the Recording Academy.
Another hallmark of Mason’s tenure is the recognition of independent artistry. Artists like Killer Mike have demonstrated that the Grammys transcend the mainstream, valuing artistic excellence regardless of an artist’s standing within the industry. “We’re trying to showcase and highlight excellence. It doesn’t matter where it comes from,” Mason emphasizes. This inclusive vision ensures that voting respects the art above all else, assessing music on its merits rather than background or genre.
As Mason Jr. looks toward the future, his hope is clear: “We keep our fingers crossed every year that we’re able to continue to honor excellence in a fair, representative, and equitable way.”
His leadership at the Grammy’s is defined by an unwavering commitment to diversity, excellence, and the celebration of music in all its forms, ensuring that all genres and styles are included and valued, as he continues to show he is truly the man with the master plan.
