Page 70 - Reggae Festival Guide Magazine 2019

committees suggest where to put it. In the It’s made it very difficult. They are reviewing

above-mentioned example, the committee everything for artists now. They’re considering

may suggest re-submission under a different artist’s touring schedule and social media

category that fits, such as the Rock Music numbers, and I am not a fan of it. I think it makes
Category. it very difficult and a little unfair given that we

(the reggae genre) operate in an independent
Q: Who gets to vote?
artist world. Most reggae artists aren’t signed

A: The people that are able to vote on the first to major labels, so now they really have to fend

and second ballots (which determine the five for themselves to prove to the Academy that
nominees and ultimately the winners) are voting they are deemed worthy enough to be a voting

members of the Academy that have paid their member. Membership dues [$100] must be paid

dues and have their creative credentials. every year in order to stay in good standing and

be able to vote.
Q: How can reggae artists, producers, etc.

become voting members? Q: What isn’t considered as creative credit?

A: Just recently the membership bylaws changed. A: An executive producer isn’t considered

In the past it was much easier to become a “creative” because that’s considered the person

member of the Recording Academy. Now you who’s the “money person” behind the project.

need at least 12 commercially distributed credits Also, marketing and promotional people,
(six will be accepted if physically distributed) journalists and managers are not considered

from within the past five years. “creatives,” so they don’t have the credentials
in order to be voting members. It has to be the

Who the Recording Academy deems creative people that are really part of the album process.
includes artists, producers, songwriters,

musicians, video directors, video producers, Q: How can artists make sure their credits are
being recorded correctly for the accreditation
liner note writers, album cover designers, etc. requirements, as in, what qualifies potential

More detailed information about credential members?

documentation requirements can be found on

the Grammy website. A: The Academy only recognize credits on CD
booklets and allmusic.com (an online company
Q: How does a “creative” apply to become a that records your credits). All this info is on

voting member? Grammy.com – just go there and look under

A: You have to apply, and there are several steps “Membership” – it breaks it all down pertaining
to it, including two referrals, a panel review to credits, application process, etc.

and obtaining the invitation. Before, if you had I really encourage our genre to submit their

six creative credentials or were a nominee or a albums and become voting members. The key

winner, you would always be a member. Now, is in the submissions. In simplified terms, more

under the new bylaws, even if you’re a member, submissions signify that perhaps more artists,

you have to keep your credentials up. If you don’t music and categories should be awarded for the

have enough credits during a five-year period, genre. Dwindling submissions can lead to the
you could lose your voting status. removal of a category entirely.

70 Reggae Festival guide 2019