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The Grammy Awards and The Recording Academy
 

(BALTIMORE – February 9, 2009) – I’ve never really cared to watch the Grammy’s. After all, three and one-half hours of music from artists I don’t typically listen to is not my idea of fun. So, at 43 years of age, I can finally say I’ve done it.

There is no wonder. Let me be blunt. In my mind, the Grammy’s were not for the black community. Anytime Frankie Beverly and MAZE have not won a Grammy, with all of his fan base and popularity, then the Grammy Awards just never earned a spot on my radar.

But, I’m getting older now. And hell, we’ve got a black president. Which brings me straight to my point.

Last night, Neil Portnow, the President and CEO of The Recording Academy, called for our new and beloved President Barack Obama to institute a cabinet secretary position for the arts. Noble idea.

Now, here’s one for Neil: Charity starts at home. Make The Recording Academy more responsive and sensitive to black America. For instance, can't a black be President of The Recording Academy?

From all indications, the Grammy Awards are starting to loosen up and give black artists more play than in the past.

However, no one can deny the contributions of African Americans to the world of music. Since the beginning of time – in America, blacks have forged the heartbeat of American music and have become the crucible out of which so much music has been developed.

As for the beloved artists – like the Rap Pack (Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne and Kanye West), who performed in an unprecedented manner last night – now is the time for black musicians to take a more demonstrative role in the business of music.

After all, those with the gold make the rules. And we, as blacks, cannot sit back and complain and not be ready to take on the mantle of responsibility, accountability, and action. Nobody likes a victim. Eveyone loves a victor. 

In the past, when I have had the gall to glance at the Grammy’s, I have often wondered who is picking the winners. Surely, there is a lack of black decision makers.

After doing a little research, it is clear that The Recording Academy – filled with 18,000 member musicians and artists – is a powerhouse in the music industry. At the same time, if the Grammy’s are going to truly reflect America – in spirit and in truth – blacks must begin to play a more active role in the business.

And for me, that means a lot more than singing a wonderful song or beautifully playing an instrument. It means that somebody from the black community has to be engaged in the actual business of production and distribution and legislation that all make the industry what it is. Not everybody is going to sell as many albums as Stevie Wonder or rock as many audiences as Beyonce or, her beau, the Jigga Man. Yet, the business of music is so much more than that. It is law, manufacturing, copyrights, contracts and a litany of other tasks that require real brainpower and creativity as well.      

Black artists can lead the way, particularly given their monetary gains and influence. These artists, while exemplifying hip hop culture and saggy pants and gold chains, are more than qualified to help lead the way on contract negotiations, music education in inner-cities across America and beyond, and bona fide distribution deals. Black artists, I believe, can humbly remind Neil that we now run the country. We can probably run The Recording Academy, too.  

Tags: music industry