Music producer Harvey Mason Jr is the new president and CEO of the Recording Academy, which produces the Grammy Awards every year, becoming the first Black person to hold the post.&nbsp;

A Grammy nominated-producer, who has worked with the likes of Beyonce, Chris Brown and Toni Braxton, Mason Jr has been interim head of the academy since January 2020. He was made permanent on Thursday. 
 
The announcement comes two weeks after the academy voted to remove its anonymous nomination review committees — groups that determined the contenders for key awards at the coveted music show. 
 
Mason succeeded Deborah Dugan, the former CEO of Bono’s (RED) charity organisation who in 2019 became the first woman appointed to lead the organisation. 
 
She was fired 169 days later— days before the 2020 Grammys. Dugan has since said the awards show was rigged and muddled with conflicts of interest.

Music producer Harvey Mason Jr is the new president and CEO of the Recording Academy, which produces the Grammy Awards every year, becoming the first Black person to hold the post.

Music producer Harvey Mason Jr is the new president and CEO of the Recording Academy, which produces the Grammy Awards every year, becoming the first Black person to hold the post. A Grammy nominated-producer, who has worked with the likes of Beyonce, Chris Brown and Toni Braxton, Mason Jr has been interim head of the academy since January 2020. He was made permanent on Thursday. The announcement comes two weeks after the academy voted to remove its anonymous nomination review committees — groups that determined the contenders for key awards at the coveted music show. Mason succeeded Deborah Dugan, the former CEO of Bono’s (RED) charity organisation who in 2019 became the first woman appointed to lead the organisation. She was fired 169 days later— days before the 2020 Grammys. Dugan has since said the awards show was rigged and muddled with conflicts of interest.

Harvey Mason Jr becomes the first Black president of the Recording Academy, which organises Grammys

The 63rd Grammy awards nominations were announced on Tuesday and was dominated by &nbsp;Beyonce who earned 9 nominations in total. While many celebrated the mention of alternative musicians in the list, there were of course some notable snubs.&nbsp; 
 
Canadian singer The Weeknd did not find a single mention in the list. Fans and the singer himself had expected the Grammys to acknowledge his recent album 'After Hours' which ranked on top Billboard till recently and has been well received. 
 
Soon after the announcement was made, The Weekend accused the Recording Academy- the body responsible for the awards- of being 'corrupt'.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-grammys-2021-check-out-the-complete-list-of-nominees-here-345161" hreflang="en">Grammys 2021: Check out the complete list of nominees here</a>

"The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency..." he tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency...
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) <a href="https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1331394452447870977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The singer's recent album and hit single 'Blinding Lights' ranked No 1 on Billboard 200 chart for over three weeks and fetched him several awards including the recent American Music Awards.&nbsp; 
 
The Weeknd was also announced to headline the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show. Naturally, most expected the Grammys to acknowledge the singer and his work when they announced the nominees.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/grammys-2021-snubs-the-weekend-beyonce-leads-with-nine-nods-345193" hreflang="en">Grammys 2021 snubs The Weekend, Beyonce leads with nine nods</a>

Hours after The Weeknd accused the Academy of being corrupt, its chief Harvey Mason Jr&nbsp;has responded in statement.&nbsp; 
 
"Congratulations to today’s GRAMMY’s nominees who have earned their peers’ recognition for their incredible work," he wrote. "There were a record number of submissions in this unusual and competitive year. We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathize with what he’s feeling. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration. We were thrilled when we found out he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl and we would have loved to have him also perform on the GRAMMY stage the weekend before," the statement that has been provided to The Hollywood Reporter, reads. 
 
"Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists," the statement continued. "But as the only peer-voted music award, we will continue to recognize and celebrate excellence in music while shining a light on the many amazing artists that make up our global community. To be clear, voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd’s 
performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process. &nbsp;All GRAMMY nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence, and we congratulate them all, " it further added.&nbsp; 
 
Other artists such as Harry Styles, BTS, Luke Combs, The Jonas Brothers and more were also snubbed.&nbsp; 
 
Styles received nominations in the best pop vocal album category but he was shut out of all four major categories.&nbsp; 
 
BTS, on the other hand, created history as it became the first K-pop band to earn a Grammy nomination in a pop duo/group performance category.&nbsp; 
 
Not just Weeknd but Justin Bieber too showed his displeasure over the nominations.&nbsp; 
 
Bieber received four nominations including best pop solo performance for 'Yummy,' &nbsp;but stated that his album 'Changes' should have been categorized as R&amp;B instead of Pop. 
 
"To the Grammys, I am flattered to be acknowledged and appreciated for my artistry," Bieber wrote. "I am very meticulous and intentional about my music. With that being said, I set out to make an R&amp;B album. Changes was and is an R&amp;B album. It is not being acknowledged as an R&amp;B album, which is very strange to me. I grew up admiring R&amp;B music and wished to make a project that would embody that sound. For this not to be put into that category feels weird, considering from the chords to the melodies to the vocal style, all the way down to the hip-hop drums that were chosen, it is undeniably, unmistakably an R&amp;B album!" the singer said on Instagram.&nbsp; 
 
The Grammys will take place in January and will be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-grammy-awards-2021-host-trevor-noah-to-host-2021-grammy-awards-345155">hosted by Trevor Noah.&nbsp;</a>

The 63rd Grammy awards nominations were announced on Tuesday and was dominated by Beyonce who earned 9 nominations in total. While many celebrated the mention of alternative musicians in the list, there were of course some notable snubs.

The 63rd Grammy awards nominations were announced on Tuesday and was dominated by Beyonce who earned 9 nominations in total. While many celebrated the mention of alternative musicians in the list, there were of course some notable snubs. Canadian singer The Weeknd did not find a single mention in the list. Fans and the singer himself had expected the Grammys to acknowledge his recent album 'After Hours' which ranked on top Billboard till recently and has been well received. Soon after the announcement was made, The Weekend accused the Recording Academy- the body responsible for the awards- of being 'corrupt'. Grammys 2021: Check out the complete list of nominees here "The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency..." he tweeted. The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency... — The Weeknd (@theweeknd) November 25, 2020 × The singer's recent album and hit single 'Blinding Lights' ranked No 1 on Billboard 200 chart for over three weeks and fetched him several awards including the recent American Music Awards. The Weeknd was also announced to headline the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show. Naturally, most expected the Grammys to acknowledge the singer and his work when they announced the nominees. Grammys 2021 snubs The Weekend, Beyonce leads with nine nods Hours after The Weeknd accused the Academy of being corrupt, its chief Harvey Mason Jr has responded in statement. "Congratulations to today’s GRAMMY’s nominees who have earned their peers’ recognition for their incredible work," he wrote. "There were a record number of submissions in this unusual and competitive year. We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathize with what he’s feeling. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration. We were thrilled when we found out he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl and we would have loved to have him also perform on the GRAMMY stage the weekend before," the statement that has been provided to The Hollywood Reporter, reads. "Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists," the statement continued. "But as the only peer-voted music award, we will continue to recognize and celebrate excellence in music while shining a light on the many amazing artists that make up our global community. To be clear, voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd’s performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process. All GRAMMY nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence, and we congratulate them all, " it further added. Other artists such as Harry Styles, BTS, Luke Combs, The Jonas Brothers and more were also snubbed. Styles received nominations in the best pop vocal album category but he was shut out of all four major categories. BTS, on the other hand, created history as it became the first K-pop band to earn a Grammy nomination in a pop duo/group performance category. Not just Weeknd but Justin Bieber too showed his displeasure over the nominations. Bieber received four nominations including best pop solo performance for 'Yummy,' but stated that his album 'Changes' should have been categorized as R&B instead of Pop. "To the Grammys, I am flattered to be acknowledged and appreciated for my artistry," Bieber wrote. "I am very meticulous and intentional about my music. With that being said, I set out to make an R&B album. Changes was and is an R&B album. It is not being acknowledged as an R&B album, which is very strange to me. I grew up admiring R&B music and wished to make a project that would embody that sound. For this not to be put into that category feels weird, considering from the chords to the melodies to the vocal style, all the way down to the hip-hop drums that were chosen, it is undeniably, unmistakably an R&B album!" the singer said on Instagram. The Grammys will take place in January and will be hosted by Trevor Noah.

The Weeknd calls the Grammys 'corrupt', Recording Academy responds 

The embattled former CEO of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammys, was fired Monday, the latest development in the body's infighting saga. 
 
The academy announced the termination of Deborah Dugan's contract in a letter, published in full by entertainment news outlet Variety, that circulated among the organization's members, citing "consistent management deficiencies and failures." 
 
The decision comes just over a month after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/days-ahead-of-grammy-awards-recording-academy-puts-chief-executive-on-leave-274868">Dugan was suddenly suspended </a>days before the 2020 Grammy Awards show on accusations of misconduct and bullying, after which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/5-days-before-grammys-ex-ceo-deborah-dugan-files-sexual-harassment-case-against-recording-academy-275880">she filed an explosive complaint </a>accusing the body of silencing her concerns over sexual harassment and voting irregularities. 
 
"While I am disappointed by this latest development, I am not surprised given the Academy’s pattern of dealing with whistleblowers," Dugan said in a statement sent to AFP by her legal team.&nbsp;

"Instead of trying to reform the corrupt institution from within, I will continue to work to hold accountable those who continue to self-deal, taint the Grammy voting process and discriminate against women and people of colour," she continued. 
 
"Artists deserve better.&nbsp;To me, this is the real meaning of 'stepping up.'" 
 
Her last line was a jab at her predecessor Neil Portnow, who in her complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission she accused of raping a foreign female recording artist, an allegation he has flatly denied. 
 
Dugan replaced Portnow -- who left his position after saying women should "step up" for industry recognition -- last May, becoming the first woman to lead the Recording Academy. 
 
In 2018 the organization created a task force in response to a major backlash that the Grammys are consistently too male and too white. 
 
Dugan's lawyers, Douglas Wigdor and Michael Willemin, vowed Monday the academy's "leadership and its attorneys will be held accountable under the law."

The embattled former CEO of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammys, was fired Monday, the latest development in the body's infighting saga. The academy announced the termination of Deborah Dugan's contract in a letter, published in full by entertainment news outlet Variety, that circulated among the organization's members, citing "consistent management deficiencies and failures.

The embattled former CEO of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammys, was fired Monday, the latest development in the body's infighting saga. The academy announced the termination of Deborah Dugan's contract in a letter, published in full by entertainment news outlet Variety, that circulated among the organization's members, citing "consistent management deficiencies and failures." The decision comes just over a month after Dugan was suddenly suspended days before the 2020 Grammy Awards show on accusations of misconduct and bullying, after which she filed an explosive complaint accusing the body of silencing her concerns over sexual harassment and voting irregularities. "While I am disappointed by this latest development, I am not surprised given the Academy’s pattern of dealing with whistleblowers," Dugan said in a statement sent to AFP by her legal team. "Instead of trying to reform the corrupt institution from within, I will continue to work to hold accountable those who continue to self-deal, taint the Grammy voting process and discriminate against women and people of colour," she continued. "Artists deserve better. To me, this is the real meaning of 'stepping up.'" Her last line was a jab at her predecessor Neil Portnow, who in her complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission she accused of raping a foreign female recording artist, an allegation he has flatly denied. Dugan replaced Portnow -- who left his position after saying women should "step up" for industry recognition -- last May, becoming the first woman to lead the Recording Academy. In 2018 the organization created a task force in response to a major backlash that the Grammys are consistently too male and too white. Dugan's lawyers, Douglas Wigdor and Michael Willemin, vowed Monday the academy's "leadership and its attorneys will be held accountable under the law."

Suspended Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan fired by Recording Academy

Days before the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy- the organisation that puts together the awards show- is in news for all the wrong reasons. Days after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/days-ahead-of-grammy-awards-recording-academy-puts-chief-executive-on-leave-274868"> the Academy ousted it's chief Deborah Dugan</a>, she has filed a complaint stating that the organisation put her on leave after she raised concerns about sexual harassment and other misconduct.&nbsp; 
 
In her 44-page complaint before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Los Angeles, Dugan has alleged that the Academy retaliated against her after she detailed the misconduct in December. 
 
Media is terming it as the most explosive charge against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.&nbsp;

Dugan stated that she was asked to hire her predecessor, Neil Portnow, as a consultant of the Academy despite the fact that there were allegations against him for raping a foreign female recording artist, "which was, upon information and belief, the real reason his contract was not renewed," states the complaint.&nbsp; 
 
Dugan's allegation comes just days before the Grammy Award ceremony - which is set to be held in Los Angeles on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/grammys-2020-nominations-list-see-full-list-as-lizzo-leads-with-8-bilie-eilish-follows-with-6-263463">Grammys 2020 nominations list: See full list as Lizzo leads with 8, Bilie Eilish follows with 6</a> 
 
In her complaint, Doug also states that she sent an email to the head of the Academy's human resources department saying she had been sexually harassed by Joel Katz, an attorney who is general counsel to the Academy. 
 
"The email also detailed egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members and voting irregularities with respect to nominations for Grammy Awards, all made possible by the 'boys club' mentality and approach to governance at the Academy," the complaint states. 
 
It adds that after sending the email, Dugan put the Academy on notice that she planned to take legal action.&nbsp; 
 
Dugan alleges that instead of taking action against Katz, the Academy retaliated against her by putting her on leave on false charges of misconduct. 
 
Dugan had replaced Portnow in May 2019 and was the first woman to lead the Recording Academy.

- Music's biggest night stolen - 
 
Dugan also alleges that an unidentified recording artist accused Portnow of raping her following a performance she gave at Carnegie Hall in New York. Portnow is yet to react on the allegations against him.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the Recording Academy refuted Dugan's complaints while speaking to news agency AFP, and said her actions would naturally be affecting the upcoming awards night.&nbsp; 
 
"It is curious that Ms Dugan never raised these grave allegations until a week after legal claims were made against her personally by a female employee who alleged Ms Dugan had created a 'toxic and intolerable' work environment and engaged in 'abusive and bullying conduct,'" the Academy's statement reads.&nbsp; 
 
It adds that a probe was underway to review Dugan's potential misconduct and her allegations. 
 
"Ms Dugan was placed on administrative leave only after offering to step down and demanding $22 million from the Academy, which is a not-for-profit organization," the statement said. 
 
"Our loyalty will always be to the 25,000 members of the recording industry.&nbsp;We regret that Music's Biggest Night is being stolen from them by Ms Dugan's actions and we are working to resolve the matter as&nbsp;quickly as possible," the statement further read.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, Joel Katz's attorney dismissed Dugan's sexual harassment allegation saying his client "categorically and emphatically denies" the charge. 
 
"Ms Dugan's allegations of harassment and her description of a dinner at the steakhouse in The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel (near Los Angeles) are false," he told AFP. 
 
"Ms Dugan's claims are made, for the first time, seven months after this dinner took place," he added. "Mr Katz will cooperate in any and all investigations or lawsuits by telling the absolute and whole truth. Hopefully, Ms Dugan will do the same.” 
 
The 2020 Grammy celebration was to be the first under Dugan considering she took charge in May last year- four months after the Grammys took place. &nbsp; 
 
When the Grammy nominees were announced in November, Dugan had heralded "a new era for the Recording Academy," pointing to "an army of engaged members that welcomes diversity, embraces creativity and champions young musicians on the rise." 
 
In 2018, after the Academy was accused of making the Grammys consistently too male and too white, the body appointed a special task force to make music world's biggest awards show more diverse.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-to-perform-at-grammys-2020-despite-last-years-controversy-273808">Ariana Grande to perform at Grammys 2020, despite last year's controversy</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/inside-pics-of-grammys-2020-nominations-ceremony-lizzo-and-billie-eilish-top-taylor-swift-sidelined-263514#lizzo-leads-with-8-nominations-263504">Inside pics of Grammys 2020 nominations ceremony: Lizzo and Billie Eilish top, Taylor Swift sidelined</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/priyanka-chopra-congratulates-jonas-brothers-on-bagging-grammy-nominations-263553">Priyanka Chopra congratulates Jonas Brothers on bagging Grammy 2020 nominations</a>

(With inputs from AFP)

Days before the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy- the organisation that puts together the awards show- is in news for all the wrong reasons. Days after the Academy ousted it's chief Deborah Dugan, she has filed a complaint stating that the organisation put her on leave after she raised concerns about sexual harassment and other misconduct.

Days before the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy- the organisation that puts together the awards show- is in news for all the wrong reasons. Days after the Academy ousted it's chief Deborah Dugan, she has filed a complaint stating that the organisation put her on leave after she raised concerns about sexual harassment and other misconduct. In her 44-page complaint before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Los Angeles, Dugan has alleged that the Academy retaliated against her after she detailed the misconduct in December. Media is terming it as the most explosive charge against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Dugan stated that she was asked to hire her predecessor, Neil Portnow, as a consultant of the Academy despite the fact that there were allegations against him for raping a foreign female recording artist, "which was, upon information and belief, the real reason his contract was not renewed," states the complaint. Dugan's allegation comes just days before the Grammy Award ceremony - which is set to be held in Los Angeles on Sunday. Grammys 2020 nominations list: See full list as Lizzo leads with 8, Bilie Eilish follows with 6 In her complaint, Doug also states that she sent an email to the head of the Academy's human resources department saying she had been sexually harassed by Joel Katz, an attorney who is general counsel to the Academy. "The email also detailed egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members and voting irregularities with respect to nominations for Grammy Awards, all made possible by the 'boys club' mentality and approach to governance at the Academy," the complaint states. It adds that after sending the email, Dugan put the Academy on notice that she planned to take legal action. Dugan alleges that instead of taking action against Katz, the Academy retaliated against her by putting her on leave on false charges of misconduct. Dugan had replaced Portnow in May 2019 and was the first woman to lead the Recording Academy. - Music's biggest night stolen - Dugan also alleges that an unidentified recording artist accused Portnow of raping her following a performance she gave at Carnegie Hall in New York. Portnow is yet to react on the allegations against him. Meanwhile, the Recording Academy refuted Dugan's complaints while speaking to news agency AFP, and said her actions would naturally be affecting the upcoming awards night. "It is curious that Ms Dugan never raised these grave allegations until a week after legal claims were made against her personally by a female employee who alleged Ms Dugan had created a 'toxic and intolerable' work environment and engaged in 'abusive and bullying conduct,'" the Academy's statement reads. It adds that a probe was underway to review Dugan's potential misconduct and her allegations. "Ms Dugan was placed on administrative leave only after offering to step down and demanding $22 million from the Academy, which is a not-for-profit organization," the statement said. "Our loyalty will always be to the 25,000 members of the recording industry. We regret that Music's Biggest Night is being stolen from them by Ms Dugan's actions and we are working to resolve the matter as quickly as possible," the statement further read. Meanwhile, Joel Katz's attorney dismissed Dugan's sexual harassment allegation saying his client "categorically and emphatically denies" the charge. "Ms Dugan's allegations of harassment and her description of a dinner at the steakhouse in The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel (near Los Angeles) are false," he told AFP. "Ms Dugan's claims are made, for the first time, seven months after this dinner took place," he added. "Mr Katz will cooperate in any and all investigations or lawsuits by telling the absolute and whole truth. Hopefully, Ms Dugan will do the same.” The 2020 Grammy celebration was to be the first under Dugan considering she took charge in May last year- four months after the Grammys took place. When the Grammy nominees were announced in November, Dugan had heralded "a new era for the Recording Academy," pointing to "an army of engaged members that welcomes diversity, embraces creativity and champions young musicians on the rise." In 2018, after the Academy was accused of making the Grammys consistently too male and too white, the body appointed a special task force to make music world's biggest awards show more diverse. Also read: Ariana Grande to perform at Grammys 2020, despite last year's controversy Inside pics of Grammys 2020 nominations ceremony: Lizzo and Billie Eilish top, Taylor Swift sidelined Priyanka Chopra congratulates Jonas Brothers on bagging Grammy 2020 nominations (With inputs from AFP)

5 days before Grammys, ex CEO Deborah Dugan files sexual harassment case against Recording Academy

The Recording Academy, whose members choose the Grammy winners, has placed its president and chief executive, Deborah Dugan, on administrative leave with immediate effect, it said on Thursday, just days before the January 26 awards ceremony. 
 
The action was taken "in light of concerns raised to the board of trustees, including a formal allegation of misconduct by a senior female member of the Recording Academy team," the organisation said in an email statement. 
 
Board chairman Harvey Mason Jr. will serve as interim president and chief executive until the investigation is complete, it said, adding that two independent third-party investigators had been retained to look into the accusations. 
 
Dugan took the helm on Aug. 1 as the organisation`s first female president and chief executive. 
 
Reuters could not immediately reach Dugan or a representative to seek comment.

The Recording Academy, whose members choose the Grammy winners, has placed its president and chief executive, Deborah Dugan, on administrative leave with immediate effect, it said on Thursday, just days before the January 26 awards ceremony.

The Recording Academy, whose members choose the Grammy winners, has placed its president and chief executive, Deborah Dugan, on administrative leave with immediate effect, it said on Thursday, just days before the January 26 awards ceremony. The action was taken "in light of concerns raised to the board of trustees, including a formal allegation of misconduct by a senior female member of the Recording Academy team," the organisation said in an email statement. Board chairman Harvey Mason Jr. will serve as interim president and chief executive until the investigation is complete, it said, adding that two independent third-party investigators had been retained to look into the accusations. Dugan took the helm on Aug. 1 as the organisation`s first female president and chief executive. Reuters could not immediately reach Dugan or a representative to seek comment.

Days ahead of Grammy awards, Recording Academy puts chief executive on leave