As someone who has been deeply immersed in the world of music for decades, I can confidently say that this year’s Grammy nominations are nothing short of extraordinary. From the timeless melodies of The Beatles to the innovative sounds of Sabrina Carpenter, the diversity and depth of talent recognized this year truly reflects the vibrant state of contemporary music.
Last month, as a member of the Grammy voting community, I received an inspiring message from Harvey Mason jr., CEO of The Recording Academy. In his powerful letter, he emphasized that our organization values fairness and encourages us to avoid any traces of bias, grudge-holding, or careless voting when deciding on nominees for the Grammys.
Months later, as the 2025 Grammy nominations are revealed, he says he’s happy with the outcome.
Beyoncé tops the nominations tally with 11, including a clean sweep in all country categories, while numerous women are recognized across various nominations, such as Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. Notably, Alessia stands out by becoming the first woman to be nominated for Non-Classical Producer of the Year – a category that has yet to crown a female winner in its history.
Mason Jr. shared with The Hollywood Reporter that this year’s academy voters actively participated and exceeded expectations, resulting in a remarkable pool of nominees. He expressed his satisfaction and pride about how things turned out. Looking back, he reminisces about the times when voter turnout wasn’t as high, and the caliber of voters was different.
Beginning in 2019, the academy introduced a fresh, member-focused enrollment system designed to foster diversity among its voting group. Now, about two-thirds of this electorate consist of newcomers who joined within the last five years. The academy has experienced a significant surge, with a 65% increase in members of color and a 27% rise in female voters.
He notes that these elements give everyone at the academy a sense of being on track. We’re seeing a greater equilibrium regarding gender, diversity in its various forms, and even variety in genres. Consequently, we can expect some varied results.
In a recent conversation, Mason Jr. discusses Beyoncé, the debatable “Best New Artist” classification, the impact Quincy Jones has had on him as a producer, and the Grammy Awards’ shift from CBS to ABC in the year 2027.
What prompted the letter you sent to Grammy voters in July?
Today’s events led us to consider the upcoming 2025 Grammys live show on February 2nd. It’s important to clarify that our nominations and winners are solely decided by our 13,000 voters. There’s a common belief that perhaps the academy influences the awards or people behind the scenes control these decisions, but that’s not accurate anymore. We want to emphasize the significance of each voter carefully listening, thinking deeply, and actively participating in the voting process. Without their involvement, we won’t achieve the desired results. Similarly, without the right membership, we can’t expect the right outcomes.
To ensure that our discussion today was productive rather than problematic, and to achieve favorable results on February 2nd, has been the driving force behind each one of us – from our membership and awards departments, right up to the management of the academy. We’ve all been working together to foster an environment that encourages, inspires, and motivates our members to participate and cast their votes.
“As a fan, I must admit, it felt a bit disappointing when Beyoncé was overlooked at the CMA Awards. However, witnessing her dominate the country categories at the Grammys and earning an American Roots nomination was truly rewarding! It’s heartening to see such versatile talent getting the recognition it deserves.”
This system of ours reveals a lot about our voters. In our 10-3 voting setup, a fan of Beyoncé can’t simply check her name throughout the ballot; instead, they have only three options to choose from. Therefore, when you notice someone like Beyoncé or another artist receiving nominations in various categories, it becomes clear that distinct voters are casting their votes across different fields. To me, this is truly remarkable, as it demonstrates not just widespread support but also the versatility of her appeal. I’m delighted and proud to see Beyoncé shattering records and continuing to be the trailblazing icon and legend she has always been.
Is this the year that Beyoncé will finally win album of the year?
Wow, it’s quite unpredictable! I think she has around a 12.5% chance, which is the best estimation I can make since voters might lean towards different options. It’s challenging because Beyoncé has been in this category before and there are some strong competitors. However, the albums in this category are all exceptional in my opinion. I genuinely admire them all, and I’m thrilled about where we are in this process. I know someone won’t win, and I can’t wait to see the final outcome.
You’ve worked with Beyoncé as a producer — what do you remember about those sessions?
She is extremely gifted and consistently professional, possesses excellent judgment, and has a clear vision for what she desires. Her voice speaks volumes, but I enjoyed collaborating with her immensely. I had the opportunity to work with her when she was around 13 or 14 years old, during Destiny Child’s initial recordings, and later on the movie Dreamgirls, where she had progressed further in her career. Each time, she was simply amazing, a joy to collaborate with, and someone who, from the beginning, it was apparent would achieve great things.
Obviously everyone can’t be nominated, so what do you say to those artists who feel snubbed?
As a fellow artist who has also not yet received recognition despite numerous nominations, I empathize with Mason jr’s disappointment for not winning an award from his five career nominations. With an abundance of exceptional records being produced now more than ever, competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Unfortunately, we can only nominate a limited number of entries in each category. I wish there were more slots available to recognize all the deserving creators out there. Our voting body encompasses various genres and disciplines, ensuring diversity in expertise and experience. Ultimately, we trust their judgment, acknowledging that it’s impossible to get everything right and that some incredibly talented artists may be overlooked. The process is subjective and challenging, but we must leave the final decision in the hands of our knowledgeable voters.
Does the nomination of The Greatest Night in Pop for Best Music Film seem like a heartfelt tribute to Quincy Jones, who recently passed away?
This film holds immense significance for me. It’s nothing short of extraordinary, a masterpiece I’ve revisited numerous times, transporting me to wonderful memories each time. Witnessing legends and icons collaborating in the studio never fails to captivate me, and it’s an experience I never tire of. I firmly believe this is a worthy tribute to a truly groundbreaking figure in music, someone who has had an enormous impact on my life, second only to my own parents, who were also musicians. Without Quincy, our conversation today would not be happening. His work, including his contributions to “We Are the World” and other iconic records, has been instrumental in shaping my career. It gave me the courage to venture into film production, composing music for films, creating soundtracks, and even considering a role as an executive. I’m thrilled and proud that this year it is being honored with a nomination.
How does it feel to witness The Beatles’ last song receiving recognition with two nominations, one being for Record of the Year?
It’s thrilling! I have a feeling one of the all-time legendary bands in music history might not have played their final tune yet – there could be more hidden gems waiting to be released. Regardless, it’s exhilarating knowing they are part of this process. Seeing their name alongside other remarkable nominees in that category gets me pumped up! In the broader categories, I’m delighted with the direction we’re heading and the choices made by the voters. The diversity is fantastic – from rock legends like the Beatles to country, alternative jazz, hip-hop, dance-electronic genres, music right now is vibrant and diverse. This is what makes the world of music so fascinating!
There’s often discussion surrounding the ‘Best New Artist’ category, with many questioning who truly fits this title and who doesn’t. For example, some found it surprising that Sabrina Carpenter was eligible given her sixth album. What are your thoughts on this situation?
It’s difficult, I’ll say that. I was going to say it’s pretty simple, but it’s actually not that simple. It’s difficult, and it’s challenging because it’s a little bit amorphous how you would evaluate best new artist. But for me, what it comes down to is when an artist rises to national or international prominence. It could be their first record, it could be their sixth record. To me, this feels like a time when our best new artists have broken through and become nationally prominent and are doing amazing work. So it is not an easy calculus to decide which artist fits that criteria and which doesn’t, but I trust our committees that do that work, and I trust the voters to vote for the right people and I’m really pleased with the outcome.
In 2027, the Grammy Awards will shift from CBS to ABC, having been broadcasted by CBS since 1973. Were you part of this decision-making process, and could you share some insights on what changes we might see?
Affirmative. For approximately the past half year, I’ve been involved in that project. It’s a dynamic shift! CBS has been an outstanding collaborator, and we eagerly anticipate completing two more projects together. However, Disney seems to resonate more with our long-term vision and future direction.
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2024-11-08 19:55