In the latest episode of the "Recording Academy x EBONY: Black Music Collective Podcast," a new podcast series presented by Procter & Gamble, host and two-time GRAMMY nominee MC Lyte chats with Jeff Harleston, General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment with operations in more than 60 countries.

In the episode, Harleston goes deep about the keys to longevity in the music industry and his bold fight to make change, topics he knows all too well: As one of the most powerful executives in the entertainment industry today, he has overseen some of the biggest releases in music across the decades. As a member of UMG's executive management board, he is responsible for overseeing all business transactions, contracts and litigation for UMG's operations worldwide. In addition, he is also responsible for the company's government relations, trade and anti-piracy activities.

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Of course, Harleston's impact reaches far beyond music and culture: He is currently working to amplify and expand programs and initiatives to support marginalized communities in the ongoing fight for equality, justice and inclusion. He was recently tapped to lead Universal's Task Force for Meaningful Change, an initiative launched in direct response to the aftermath and civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd.

Throughout his decades-long career, Harleston has remained committed to progressing Black culture, providing artists with countless opportunities and "widening the screen" on Black culture and life worldwide.

Hear his story now in the newest episode of the "Recording Academy x EBONY: Black Music Collective Podcast" above.

About The Recording Academy x EBONY: Black Music Collective Podcast:

The "Recording Academy x EBONY: Black Music Collective Podcast" is a six-part podcast series presented by Procter & Gamble. Hosted by MC Lyte, the series include various members of the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective (BMC), a group of prominent Black music creators and professionals who share the common goal of amplifying Black voices within the Academy and beyond, who discuss their contributions and impact within the community and the music industry at large.

The "Recording Academy x EBONY: Black Music Collective Podcast" streams every Thursday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT through July 29 on EBONY.com and EBONY's YouTube channel and Facebook page, as well as on GRAMMY.com/BlackMusicCollectivePodcast and the Recording Academy's official Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Recording Academy And EBONY Launch Collaborative Podcast Series: H.E.R., Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Ledisi, And More Confirmed As Guests

A capacity crowd filled the Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center for a screening of Luther: Never Too Much, a new documentary chronicling the life and career of soul and R&B icon Luther Vandross. The event, held last week at the 2024 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival and presented by the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective and Cîroc Limonata, was a celebration of Vandross' legacy in music and culture as well as the Academy's impact in underrepresented communities across the music industry.  

Award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter, who directed the film, kicked off the screening with a heartfelt memory: "When I first came here in 1998, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that a film that is so special to me, I would be able to share with you on this island that I love." 

She also gave the audience, which included former Chair and CEO of BET Networks Debra Lee and Universal Music Group executive Jeff Harleston, permission to release. "You are free to sing, dance, and we will be back for you after this," she said. 

Not skipping a beat, Luther takes things all the way back to the beginning. It details Vandross' early influences including the Supremes, the Temptations and the Sweet Inspirations, as well as Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin, the latter of whom both became collaborators. As Vandross' many hits — "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," "Bad Boy/Having A Party," "Stop To Love," "Til My Baby Comes Home," title track "Never Too Much," and more — weaved in and out of the comprehensive doc, the audience moved and grooved.  

Vandross' decades-long career unfolds in full scope across Luther, highlighting his own group, Shades of Jade; the musical ensemble Listen My Brother, a one-time Apollo Theater fixture that also appeared in early "Sesame Street" episodes; his work on David Bowie's legendary Young Americans album, which boosted Vandross' solo career; his many jingles; his days as a backup singer for Bette Midler and Roberta Flack; and much more. The film's use of amazing archival footage tracing these eras wowed the audience. 

In addition to penning his own hits like "Give Me the Reason" and other classics, such as "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day" from the Broadway musical "The Wiz" and Aretha Franklin's Jump To It, Vandross was a vocal perfectionist and a showman, which Porter reflects in the film through rehearsal footage and sketches of the costumes he designed for his tours. Luther producer and fan Jamie Foxx even offers his own testimony to the vital assist Vandross gave his early romantic life. 

Porter does not shy away from Vandross' dark points in Luther. At the height of his fame, for example, he was involved in a car accident that killed a friend. Insightful interviews with lifelong friends and music peers dating back to high school, including folks like Carlos Alomar, Fonzi Thornton, Robin Clark, Valerie Simpson, Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey, Nile Rodgers, his niece Seveda Williams, and longtime assistant Max Szadek uncover Luther Vandross, the person. Some of the most heartbreaking personal revelations revolve around his weight and the emotional toll that media scrutiny took on him as well as persistent rumors about his sexuality, which his closest friends continue to guard, even in death. 

Patti LaBelle, to the dismay of Vandross' friend and writing partner Richard Marx, who considers such acts a betrayal, did speak publicly on the topic via a clip. Vandross' inability to find love, as detailed in "Any Love," a song he once described to Oprah as his most autobiographical track, is most heartbreaking. 

In a Q&A panel following the film, Porter shared how she pulled off such a wonderful tribute to Vandross in Luther. 

"What really works for this movie is having all that music," she said. "I watched this movie like a fan. I want to hear those songs. I want to sing those songs. So having the ability to let them play out, having the archive, having the estate images and rehearsal footage" was invaluable, she stressed. "When you have all those elements, you feel like you can do justice to a story. And if anybody deserves justice to his story being done, it's this man." 

The panel — which also featured guest Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Recording Academy, and author, professor and radio host Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey as moderator — also highlighted the notable steps and initiatives the Academy has launched to advance a diverse, inclusive music community. 

"[Around the] last GRAMMYs, we launched Academy Proud, which is what we call a membership resource group for LGBTQ artists, creators, [and] professionals, so that they also have a safe space," Butler, who is openly gay, reflected. "I think that a lot of times, the Academy felt unapproachable. It felt like it was the castle on top of the hill behind the gate. So I think what I really do, as the leader of our diversity efforts, is come out of the castle and go into the communities where people are."  

Porter regretted that Vandross, whose health challenges as a diabetic and stroke survivor contributed to his early death in 2005 at the young age of 54, never got to experience today's industry. "Don't we all wish Luther lived now?" she lamented to the audience. 

Vandross' fight to cross over and expand his audience features prominently in the film. He achieved some of that goal with his very personal, chart-topping single "Dance with My Father," which he penned with Marx; the song won the GRAMMY for Song Of The Year at the 2004 GRAMMY Awards while he was recovering from a stroke he suffered in 2003. (Earlier, the crowd gasped upon learning that Vandross won his first GRAMMY after nine previous nominations.) 

"In 2020, a group of us at the Recording Academy got together [and] we created the Black Music Collective, which is really about honoring and celebrating the contributions of Black creatives," Butler said in response. 

"As soon as I saw the film," he continued, "I thought, 'What if the Black Music Collective existed when Luther was here? Would he have been nominated nine times before he won? Or would he have enough Black voters in the [Recording Academy voting] membership?' When I arrived at the GRAMMYs, Black representation in voting membership was around 9%, which was indexing lower than U.S. census data. We set an aggressive goal of 33% and we're [now] at 22%," he announced to applause.  

Porter closed out the panel by announcing that Luther: Never Too Much would hit select theaters in October before its official premiere in 2025 on CNN, OWN and Max. 

Attendees at the *Luther: Never Too Much* private reception | Photo: Corey Fletcher 

Elsewhere throughout the festival, the Recording Academy's DEI team participated in multiple panels and events, including the DEI is Alive panel, which discussed the impact and importance of DEI work in the entertainment industry; a screening of and conversation about Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It, a new documentary celebrating GRAMMY-winning R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel legend Billy Preston, which Butler moderated; and a welcome and toast celebration for Oscar nominee Colman Domingo. 

Diageo, who partnered with the Recording Academy's DEI team to produce the Luther: Never Too Much screening, conversation and private reception, has supported the Black Music Collective and the Academy's DEI initiatives on an ongoing basis. 

Learn more about the Recording Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, recent DEI achievements, and year-round work to support artists, creators and music professionals of all backgrounds. 

On July 29, a diverse, talented group of over 200 Recording Academy New York Chapter members filled Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg to mingle, network, and talk shop. 

The special occasion was the New York Chapter Member Celebration — its first summer event — and the attendees were eager to make new friends and connections, while embracing old ones over free food and drinks.

Held inside Brooklyn Brewery's spacious wooden tasting room, where guests could try any of the local brewer's beers on draft and bites from Shake Shack — the official burger partner of the New York Chapter Member Celebration As members milled about the space, New York-bred DJ Morsy — who's also a music producer, audio engineer and proud member of the Class of 2024 — provided upbeat grooves to make Monday feel like a full-on party.

An hour or so into the lively event, Nick Cucci, the Senior Executive Director of the New York Chapter, and Lee Dannay, the new NY Chapter President, briefly paused the music and conversation to share their gratitude for their community — which grew by 600 members to 3501 this year — and the many sponsors that made the evening possible. "We can’t do this without our partners and our sponsors," Dannay said. 

The Connect Lounge, located among large, shiny vats of beer still in the brewing process, provided opportunities to network with many of the event's community partners. Daniel's Music Foundation, GRAMMY Go, MusiCares, Music Managers Forum US, Platinum Academy, The Mechanical Licensing Collective, Sound Royalties, RAMPD, Queer Capita, and She Is The Music all had tables set up to showcase their important work and how to get involved. 

Inside the Connect Lounge, attendees could watch clips from GRAMMY Go — the Recording Academy's creator-to-creator learning platform —featuring useful courses on music production, songwriting and audience building from a star-studded cast of GRAMMY-winning and nominated artists including Victoria Monét, Janelle Monáe and Hit-Boy. 

The Lounge also boasted more delicious treats; fresh, gooey cookies from Levain Bakery — the official cookie partner of the New York Chapter Member Celebration  — and organic flavored green tea from Saint James. 

Towards the end of the evening, the music was briefly paused once again to reveal the lucky winner of a raffle. NYC-based, Nigerian-born Afrobeats artist Teemanay took home a brand new D'Angelico Premier Brighton electric guitar, donated by the craft NYC guitar company. 

Even after 10 p.m. when the event ended and brewery closed, many guests mingled outside to continue conversations, exchange information and introduce themselves to anyone they might not have had the chance to yet. Recording Academy New York Chapter members are not only talented and driven creators and music industry professionals, they are clearly committed to supporting each other and building community. 

"We haven’t done an all-member celebration, nor have we ever done a program in Brooklyn during my tenure. All the stars aligned for this night. [It was a] great turnout from our members and an iconic New York City venue — Brooklyn Brewery! Perfect all around," Cucci says of the event.

The Chapter extends an extra special thanks to all their beloved partners, especially the Annual New York Chapter partners: Concord Theatricals, Sound Royalties, and the Mechanical Licensing Collective; the Official Burger of the New York Chapter Member Celebration, Shake Shack; and the Official Cookie Partner of the New York Chapter Member Celebration, Levain Bakery.

New York is the Recording Academy's second-biggest chapter. It not only serves New York City but the entire Northeast, eastern Canada, and Western Europe.. The Member Celebration is just one of many gatherings hosted by this East Coast chapter, which also include other networking opportunities , and intimate conversations  with music creators and professional producers  as part of the Community Connections series, to name a few.

If you are an artist or music professional interested in joining your local Recording Academy Chapter, you can find more information here. The Academy also accepts recommendations for new members.

Navigating the multitude of challenges and roadblocks within the music industry can often seem like a herculean feat. Musicians and industry professionals are expected to master the intricacies of creating and performing music while also juggling the economics and business dealings of the industry. These challenges can be even more daunting for creators and industry professionals with disabilities.  

As the leading global community of music professionals, the Recording Academy is acutely aware of these unique challenges, and it's dedicated to supporting creators and professionals from all backgrounds and experiences.  

That's the vision behind RAA+D (Disability + Accessibility), the Recording Academy's new member resource group aimed at supporting artists, creators and professionals with disabilities and advancing their needs and initiatives. Unveiled during the Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter's inaugural Block Party during Disability Pride Month last month, RAA+D is dedicated to achieving true accessibility for everyone in the music community and going beyond mere compliance.  

Through RAA+D, the Academy is working to ensure that all members can fully engage in the organization's programs by providing elements such as live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, accessibility ramps at our shows and events, and closed captioning for our programs.  

"In recent years, the Academy has made significant strides to ensure that individuals from all walks of life feel supported and a sense of belonging within the Recording Academy spaces," Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Recording Academy, said in an interview. "Through the implementation of RAA+D, the Academy aims to create a robust support system for the disability community, providing opportunities for networking and celebrating their contributions to the greater music community." 

Read More: How The Music Industry Must Work To Close The Accessibility Gap: 4 Eye-Opening Takeaways 

RAA+D's initiatives are driven by a commitment to foster an inclusive environment where accessibility and community are priorities. To help accomplish this, the Recording Academy has partnered with RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities), one of the leading organizations supporting music creatives with disabilities, as a community partner to advance the work of RAA+D on a year-round basis. 

RAA+D is part of the Recording Academy's DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Musicmakers) Initiative, an inclusive network of member resource groups spotlighting the contributions and initiatives of creators and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.  

Spearheaded by the Academy's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) team, the DREAM Initiative recently launched multiple resource groups, including Gold Music Alliance, which honors and elevates Pan-Asian members and allies within the GRAMMY organization and the music industry, and Academy Proud, which celebrates and honors LGBTQIA+ Academy members and music industry professionals. Other active groups within the DREAM Initiative include Women in the Mix, launched in 2019, which builds community for all women and increases representation within the Recording Academy and in the music industry; the Black Music Collective, launched in 2020, which is a group of prominent Black music creators and professionals focused on advancing Black music and culture; and GRAMMYs Next Gen, which supports and empowers the next generation of music creators and professionals. 

As the Recording Academy continues to establish membership networks that align with our wide-spanning mission and core values, the DREAM Initiative will launch multiple member resource groups spotlighting the diverse music community, including groups celebrating and supporting Latin and Indigenous creators and music professionals. 

"As we look to the future, we are thrilled about the transformative potential of RAA+D," Butler reflected. "This initiative reaffirms our commitment to inclusivity and the recognition of the diverse talents within the disability community. We are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our organization and our members." 

With additional reporting from John Morrison 

Editor’s Note: Updated to add the Instagram Live video featuring Harvey Mason jr. and Stevie Mackey.

The Recording Academy continues its mission to empower music's next generation with the launch of its second specialization in the GRAMMY GO platform: "Music Production: Crafting Award-Worthy Songs."

This new course, a partnership between the Recording Academy and leading online learning platform Coursera, aims to bolster the technological and audio skills of music producers of all levels. The course, taught by Howard University professor and GRAMMY nominee Carolyn Malachi, features appearances by three-time GRAMMY winner and rap icon Hit-Boy, chart-topping and GRAMMY-winning producer/songwriter CIRKUT, artist and celebrity vocal coach Stevie Mackey, five-time GRAMMY nominee and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., and 15-time GRAMMY winner Judith Sherman.

Enrollment for "Music Production: Crafting Award-Worthy Songs" is open now.

Mixing a unique blend of theory and practice, the course teaches music creators of all levels the advanced skills and tools to develop the mindset and confidence of an experienced producer and produce songs of the highest industry standards across all genres. Explore the wide-ranging roles of a music producer, develop critical listening and analysis skills, and master the technical aspects to create music and compositions that cut through the noise. The course's applied learning approach allows learners to sharpen their pre-production skills, utilize Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) effectively, and produce vocals, instrumentals and samples collaboratively. Through critical listening exercises and discussions, learners will refine their abilities to deliver professional-quality demos.

To celebrate the launch, the Recording Academy hosted an Instagram Live session on Tuesday in which guests Harvey Mason jr. and Stevie Mackey discussed the evolving role of music producers, strategies for working with artists, key elements of top-notch productions, common mixing mistakes, tips for keeping the creative process fresh, and enrollment details for the course.

Read more: How The Recording Academy's GRAMMY GO Is Building A Global Online Learning Community & Elevating The Creative Class

Building on the success of its first specialization, "Building Your Audience for Music Professionals," GRAMMY GO continues to offer industry-focused education tailored for emerging and established music creators and professionals alike. The innovative platform provides learners with real-time insights from leading music industry figures, ensuring the content remains practical and up to date. GRAMMY GO will also serve as an essential tool in the Recording Academy's global expansion into Africa and the Middle East, empowering music creators through enhanced training, bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering connections within the global music community.

Launched in April in partnership with Coursera, GRAMMY GO is the Recording Academy's first creator-to-creator platform, offering innovative courses tailored for both emerging and established music professionals. The initiative accelerates the Academy's global mission and reinforces its commitment to music education, providing a seamless bridge between all Academy initiatives.

Learn more about GRAMMY GO and the "Music Production: Crafting Award-Worthy Songs" and "Building Your Audience for Music Professionals" specializations.

Watch the Instagram Live session with Harvey Mason jr. and Stevie Mackey in full below:

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