NEIL ON THE TASK
(FORCE) AHEAD

Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow, following much controversy over his post-Grammys comment about women needing to "step up," has announced the formation of a new task force to address obstacles to "female advancement in the music community," adding, "We will also place ourselves under a microscope." Portnow's full statement appears below.

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,
Neil Portnow
President/CEO of the Recording Academy