Recently, the Recording Academy’s District Advocate Day returned to its first in-person activation since the pandemic, rallying nearly 2,000 Academy members across 45 states and reaching over 75 percent of all of Congress. Our members visited the offices of their elected Congressional representatives in 12 cities across the country, including in Los Angeles, Nashville, Austin, Atlanta, and more. Music creators such as Lachi, Aijia Grammer, Gramps Morgan, and Cory Asbury met with Congressional leaders nationwide, including RAP Act co-sponsor Representative Hank Johnson, as well as Representatives Jerry Nadler, Mark Green, Chip Roy, Jimmy Gomez, and others, to discuss four key pieces of pending legislation that focus on providing fair compensation and protecting free expression for music creators.
Below are the key policy items that were covered along with some social highlights:
Key Policy Items
- The Restoring Artistic Protections (RAP) Act (H.R. 8531), which protects every creator’s right to free expression by limiting the use of lyrics and other creative works as evidence in federal court.
- The American Music Fairness Act (H.R. 4130/S. S. 4932), which ensures artists and music creators receive payment for the use of their songs on AM/FM radio.
- The Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act (H.R. 1945/S. 752), which amends the tax code so independent artists can fully deduct the cost of new recordings on their taxes.
- The PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act (H.R. 6498/S. 4195), which directs the State Department to leverage partnerships with the private sector when designing and implementing its music-related exchange programs.
Social Media Highlights
- Nationwide highlights from District Advocate Day with Representatives Ted Lieu, Hank Johnson, Mark Green, Pramila Jayapal, Jimmy Gomez and Recording Academy members
- New York Meeting, Rep. Jerry Nadler & artist Lachi
- Atlanta Meeting, Rep. Hank Johnson (Co-Sponsor of the RAP Act) and Atlanta Chapter Recording Academy Members
- Los Angeles Meeting, behind the scenes
- President of the Recording Academy Texas Chapter and recording artist, Taylor Hanson speaking on District Advocate Day
- Producer Cheekychizzy supports District Advocate Day
