Justin Bieber among 200 industry figures to support proposal that at least two women are considered for every technical job
More than 200 leading music industry figures including Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams and Justin Bieber are backing a Grammy initiative to support female producers and engineers. A 2018 study found that less than 2% of music producers working today are women.
The Recording Academy asks that “at least two women are identified and therefore considered as part of the selection process every time a music producer or engineer is hired”. It also calls upon working producers to remain conscious of gender diversity “within music’s technical fields” when selecting proteges and young hires.
The other artists supporting the initiative include Katy Perry, Cardi B, Common, John Legend, Keith Urban, Brandi Carlile, Chance the Rapper, Selena Gomez, Sharon Van Etten, Maroon 5, Halsey, 2 Chainz, Tegan and Sara, Troye Sivan, Pink, Maggie Rogers, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, Ryan Adams and the Chainsmokers.
Leading producers such as Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam, Max Martin, Diplo and Jack Antonoff have also given their backing, in addition to such labels as Columbia, Big Machine, Epic, Glassnote, Def Jam and RCA.
The producer and engineering inclusion initiative is the creation of the Recording Academy’s taskforce for diversity and inclusion, which was formed after the 2018 Grammy awards were criticised for failing to recognise the achievements of female artists and hip-hop stars. Out of 86 categories, only 17 were won by women or bands fronted by women, and only one – Alessia Cara for best new artist – in a major, televised category.