Common and Sheryl will team up with other musicians to examine how women, people of color and other minorities can be better represented in the music industry.
- May 10, 2018
AceShowbiz - Common and Sheryl Crow have joined the Recording Academy's task force on diversity and inclusion. The musicians will team up with Cam, Andra Day, Jimmy Jam and several music industry executives to examine how women, people of color and other minorities can be better represented in the music industry.
"I'm honoured to lead such an esteemed group of visionaries who possess the experience and passion needed to drive real change in building a more inclusive and equitable music community," Tina Tchen, chair of the task force, says. "This is an important first step made possible by the Recording Academy's leadership, which recognises the benefit of examining these issues with fresh eyes."
News of the task force comes months after Recording Academy President Neil Portnow came under fire after the 2018 Grammy Awards, when he addressed the lack of female representation at the ceremony by suggesting female artists needed to "step up" if they wanted to win more accolades. He was criticized by singers including Pink, Sheryl Crow, and Iggy Azalea and later apologized.
"The Recording Academy prides itself on being a thoughtful organisation, and is committed to being responsive to those we represent in the creative community," Portnow adds. "Today, there's an opportunity for us to effect historic change in attitudes and practices within our industry. We embrace that opportunity in full. With a leader like Tina at the helm and a group of such high calibre, this task force is primed to have a meaningful impact on building a music community that is inclusive, welcoming, and open to all."
