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The Recording Academy<\/strong> has invited more than 4,000<\/strong> music creators and industry professionals to become Grammy<\/strong> members.<\/p>\n The invitations, sent on Thursday (July 9)<\/strong>, went to professionals across genres, backgrounds and disciplines, the Academy<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n They form the organization\u2019s 2026 New Member Class<\/strong>, part of a membership model the Grammys<\/strong> rebuilt in 2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Recording Academy<\/strong> CEO Harvey Mason jr<\/strong>, said: \u201cEvery year, we look forward to welcoming a new group of dedicated music creators and professionals through our membership invitations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur membership is the engine of the Grammys<\/strong>, and we\u2019re excited for invitees to join our vibrant community, engage with their peers and help shape the future of the music industry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery year, we look forward to welcoming a new group of dedicated music creators and professionals through our membership invitations.\u201d<\/p>\n Harvey Mason jr<\/strong>, Recording Academy<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Among the new members named by the Academy<\/strong> are Cash Cobain<\/strong>, EJAE<\/strong>, Lola Young<\/strong>, Raveena Aurora<\/strong>, Sleeping With Sirens<\/strong> and sombr<\/strong>.<\/p>\n EJAE<\/strong> co-wrote several songs on the KPop Demon Hunters<\/em> soundtrack, including Golden<\/em>, and provided the singing voice of Rumi in the Netflix<\/a><\/strong> film. She was named TikTok\u2019s Songwriter of the Year for 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n EJAE <\/strong>said: \u201cAs a songwriter and recording artist, I couldn\u2019t be more excited to join the Recording Academy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt takes a village to record an album, produce and perform live shows for fans, and bring our ideas from pen and paper to release and stage.\u201d<\/p>\n EJAE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cIt takes a village to record an album, produce and perform live shows for fans, and bring our ideas from pen and paper to release and stage. Coming together only strengthens our community, allows us to preserve our work and help us to advocate for ourselves and for one another.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMusic is my lifelong passion, and I am honored to join my music industry peers across all countries, divisions and genres. Music is for everyone and forever worth celebrating.\u201d<\/p>\n Lola Young<\/strong> and sombr<\/strong> were both nominated for Best New Artist<\/strong> at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards<\/strong> in February.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a member now means I am part of a community of incredibly talented people who champion real musicianship, diversity, and legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n Lola Young<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cI am so happy to be part of the Recording Academy<\/strong> New Member Class of 2026<\/strong>,\u201d said Lola Young<\/strong>. \u201cAs a recording artist, I believe the Grammys<\/strong> represent the most prestigious award you can receive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a member now means I am part of a community of incredibly talented people who champion real musicianship, diversity, and legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m extremely honored to be part of the Recording Academy<\/strong>\u2018s 2026 New Member Class. Being nominated for Best New Artist<\/strong> and getting the chance to perform on the Grammy<\/strong> stage were moments I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n Sombr<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Said sombr<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m extremely honored to be part of the Recording Academy<\/strong>\u2018s 2026 New Member Class. Being nominated for Best New Artist<\/strong> and getting the chance to perform on the Grammy<\/strong> stage were moments I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s inspiring to be surrounded by so many artists I admire, and I\u2019m excited to be part of a community that supports artists and songwriting.\u201d<\/p>\n The Recording Academy<\/strong> overhauled how it recruits members in 2019<\/strong>, introducing a community-driven, peer-reviewed model that replaced a system left largely unchanged for decades.<\/p>\n The change followed years of criticism of the Grammys<\/strong> over diversity, and over gender in particular.<\/p>\n Then-Academy<\/strong> chief Neil Portnow<\/strong> said in 2018<\/strong> that women who felt under-represented at the Grammys<\/strong> should \u201cstep up.\u201d<\/p>\n The remark drew a public rebuke from senior female executives at Sony<\/a><\/strong>, Universal<\/a><\/strong> and Warner<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n His successor, Deborah Dugan<\/strong>, the first woman to lead the organization, was ousted within months and, on her way out, alleged a \u201cboys\u2019 club\u201d culture and voting irregularities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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