So, what should we expect to see at the 2022 GRAMMYs?
Well, the RA have committed to ensuring that at least a third of the candidates considered to host the awards must stem from this "under-represented" category.
Same goes for presenters. And, considering it's tradition for the presenters to be nominees, the Academy will branch out if the pool is not diverse enough.
To determine which communities have been under-represented when it comes to these roles, they will look at GRAMMYs hosts and presenters from the past 20 years
They are similarly committed to inclusion when it comes to performing roles and off-stage roles.
What’s more, they have committed to making reasonable accomodations for people with disabilities, to provide gender-neutral facilities, and a land acknowledgement for Indigenous peoples’ past and present relationship to the land.
They will also be compiling a report to hold themselves accountable.
In a statement about the decision, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said: "I am proud that the Academy is leading the charge in releasing an Inclusion Rider for the music community that counters systematic bias.
"We were proud to work with a very diverse crew last year for the GRAMMY Awards, and this is the culmination of a years-long effort to create a rider for the production of the GRAMMYs. But this is only the beginning. We are committed to putting in the real work required to help create a pipeline of diverse talent and drastically change representation."
In creating this rider, the RA have teamed up with US non-profit orgnaisation Color of Change as part of a #ChangeMusic initiative.
President of COC, Rashas Robinson, deemed the Rider a "concrete accountability mechanism aimed at breaking through an endless stream of empty commitments".
"It will ensure that Black people finally gain the authority in the industry that matches their essential contributions to it. An initiative of #ChangeMusic, the Inclusion Rider changes the rules of the industry's hiring and management practices to open up opportunities for work and promotion that have long been denied."
Nominations for the 2022 GRAMMYs will take place next month, on November 23rd.
The actual awards will be held next January 31st.
Let's hope this Rider is the first of many positive and tangible steps towards representation and equality in the music industry and the Arts more broadly.
Hey girl! Want more fashion, beauty, health and pop culture news from Girlfriend?
Follow us on Instagram @girlfriendmag & turn ON our post notifications in the top right-hand corner of our IG profile so you never miss a post
Remember to add our homepage to your favourites https://www.girlfriend.com.au/
& click here for our newsletter link for all your GF updates!