TikToker turned pop star Addison Rae, global girl group KATSEYE and comedian Nikki Glaser are among those invited to join the Recording Academy’s 2025 new member class, the organization announced on Wednesday.
The Recording Academy extended its annual membership invitation Wednesday morning to nearly 3,600 music industry professionals from several disciplines. “For today’s music creators, Grammy membership opens up an incredible set of opportunities,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement.
“Not only do voting members get the chance to honor their peers with Grammy nominations and awards, Academy members get access to hands-on experience, skill development to advance their careers, exposure to peers and mentors in the music industry and be part of an organization shaping the future of music,” he added. New members will get the chance participate in several initiatives including driving “meaningful DEI progress and impact” through the organization’s Dream Initiative, according to a release.
The Recording Academy has stressed its commitment to diversifying its voting body over the past several years following previous criticism of lack of diversity, with former Grammys CEO Neil Portnow in particular drawing controversy to the organization back in 2018 when he said women had to “step up” for representation at the awards. According to the Academy’s 2024 Membership report, the organization has increased its number of women voting members by 27 percent since 2019.
The 2025 class is 49 percent women and 56 percent people of color, the Academy said. Of all the invitees, 60 percent are under the age of 40. Those that are invited must formally accept to become full Recording Academy members and to be eligible to vote for next year’s Grammy Awards.
In addition to Addison Rae, KATSEYE and Nikki Glaser, Grupo Firme, Joey Bada$$ and Mariah The Scientist were among those invited to join.
“It is a huge honor to join the Recording Academy/Grammys 2025 new member class,” Rae, who just released her first studio album Addison last month, said in statement. “I am so lucky to be surrounded by talent and poise that inspires me to create fearlessly and help encourage others to do so as well.”
KATSEYE, who just earned their first Billboard 200 top 10 entry with Beautiful Chaos, also expressed what an honor it was to be included. “It’s exciting to stand alongside such inspiring artists and be part of a community that truly champions music, artistry and diversity,” the group said in a statement.
“I screamed when I found out,” Glaser said in statement about being to the new member class. The stand-up comedian went viral at this year’s Grammy Awards when she took a small part in Benson Boone’s performance.
“This is the greatest thing the Grammys have given me since the half of Benson Boone’s tuxedo I kept after last year’s show,” she jokingly continued. “This is a role I’m going to take very seriously and as a comedian, it’ll be nice to finally have one thing I do in earnest.”
