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Harvey Mason Jr.
CEO,
The Recording Academy

Harvey Mason Jr. is the CEO of the Recording Academy® as well as a songwriter, music and movie producer, and founder of Harvey Mason Media.

Under his leadership, the Academy has undergone significant transformations, including diversifying its membership, making the GRAMMY Awards® more transparent and inclusive, and expanding its role as a service organization for music creators. Mason has also played a key role in restructuring the organization for global growth. As CEO, he collaborates closely with the Academy's Board of Trustees and senior management team, as well as serving as CEO of MusiCares® and being involved with various music-related boards and foundations. During his tenure, Mason achieved notable milestones, such as establishing the Songwriters & Composers Wing and the Black Music Collective, hiring the Academy's first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, advocating for creator’s rights in Washington, D.C., and overseeing MusiCares COVID-19 Relief's distribution of over $30 million to music creators.

In his creative endeavors, Mason has penned and produced songs for industry legends and today's biggest superstars. Everyone from Whitney Houston to Beyoncé, Elton John to Justin Timberlake, Aretha Franklin to Ariana Grande, Britney Spears to Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross to Justin Bieber, and Michael Jackson to Chris Brown have called on Mason to deliver uniquely musical, yet radio-friendly, hit records. Simultaneously, Mason has been instrumental in producing memorable music for many of the biggest musical films and TV events from the past decade. His work in films includes Dreamgirls, the Pitch Perfect franchise, Shrek, SING, SING 2, Sparkle, and Straight Outta Compton. TV shows including "The Wiz Live!" and "Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert" also counted on Mason's musical talent and taste. Recently, Harvey Mason Media produced the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson for MGM.

Mason is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, having received the Spirit of Excellence Award from the T.J. Martell Foundation and being involved with the Ronald McDonald House, the American Cancer Society, and Los Angeles Children's Hospital.

  • 2023