President of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow, has come under fire for comments that he made directly after the 60th annual Grammy Awards show that aired on January 28 from Madison Square Garden.
In a recent report by Your EDM, Portnow told a Variety reporter that women need to “step up” in the music industry. The comments were made directly after the conclusion of the Grammy Award ceremony. There was also a trending hashtag titled #GrammysSoMale. Portnow’s comments have outraged so many, the Recording Academy has announced that they will look into gender inequality with an investigation.
Feeling the backlash from the music world, Portnow posted a letter about his poor choice of words, and the task force the Academy plans to have investigate the impediment of female advancement in the music industry. All parties are taking this issue very seriously. Coincidentally, Alessia Cara was the only female winner among the categories that was televised during the event.
Portnow’s full letter follows:
“To The Music Community…
After hearing from many friends and colleagues, I understand the hurt that my poor choice of words following last Sunday’s Grammy telecast has caused. I also now realize that it’s about more than just my words. Because those words, while not reflective of my beliefs, echo the real experience of too many women. I’d like to help make that right.
“The Recording Academy is establishing an independent task force to review every aspect of what we do as an organization and identify where we can do more to overcome the explicit barriers and unconscious biases that impede female advancement in the music community. We will also place ourselves under a microscope and tackle whatever truths are revealed.
“I appreciate that the issue of gender bias needs to be addressed in our industry, and share in the urgency to attack it head on. We as an organization, and I as its leader, pledge our commitment to doing that. We will share more information about the steps we are taking in the coming weeks.
“Sincerely, President/CEO of the Recording Academy.”
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