GRAMMYs on the Hill 2025: Advocating for Music Creators in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. has once again become the hub for music advocacy as the Recording Academy hosts its annual "GRAMMYs on the Hill" week, running from April 8 to April 10, 2025. This impactful event unites music creators, industry leaders, and congressional representatives to advocate for artists’ rights and address critical issues in the music industry.

The week began with the prestigious GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on April 8. Seven-time GRAMMY winner Randy Travis was honored for his dedication to copyright protections and fair pay for music creators. Congressional honorees included Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-CA) and Ron Estes (R-KS), who have championed bipartisan efforts such as the Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act. Their commitment reflects the importance of securing fair opportunities for all creators.

Advocacy Day on April 9 was a key highlight, as Recording Academy members convened with lawmakers to discuss legislative priorities. Among the conversations was the reintroduction of the NO FAKES Act, aiming to protect creators' voices and likenesses from unauthorized digital replicas—an increasingly relevant issue in the age of AI.

The celebration also saw significant participation from local artists and Recording Academy members from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), who joined forces with chapter members from New York, Atlanta, North Carolina, Nashville, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Their presence underscored the collective strength and diverse voices within the music community.

The week concludes on April 10 with the Future Forum—a discussion-focused event exploring music, technology, and policy intersections. This space encourages innovative solutions to industry challenges while fostering collaboration among creators and leaders.

Harvey Mason, Jr., President and CEO of the Recording Academy, shared an inspiring message: "The Academy is proud to represent and serve creators, and for decades, GRAMMYs on the Hill has brought music makers to our nation’s capital to elevate the policy issues affecting our industry. As we enter a new era of technology, we must create guardrails around AI and ensure it enhances—not replaces—human creativity."

For additional details about GRAMMYs on the Hill and ways to support music creators, visit the Recording Academy's official website.