The Recording Academy is focused on equalling the odds this year, or so it seems. Today marks the official launch of the campaign entitled the Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, which already boasts Common and Sheryl Crow among its core members. The Academy forwarded their official statement on the measures via their website at www.grammy.com - wherein the fourth paragraph, the Grammy's speechwriter mentions that over 200 artists have already lent their name to the cause.
"A diverse and impressive lineup of more than 200 artists, producers, labels, agencies, management companies, and other stakeholders, including Justin Bieber, Cardi B, Common, Andra Day, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Shawn Mendes, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, P!NK, Post Malone, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and more have already signed on to the initiative," the statement reads, before going onto explain the responsibility incurred by their participation.
The star-studded list of participants hasn't had much of a chance to speak on their enrollment, save for Katy Perry who had PR department lined up just for the occasion. "I pledge to support this great initiative to provide even more opportunity to talented female producers and engineers," she wrote in passing. The initiative on a whole aims to push for more women to be employed in producing, engineering, and mixing roles within the industry. Apparently, only 3% of documented engineering and mixing roles are taken up by women as of 2019.. as alarming as it may seem.