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The Recording Academy is accepting submissions from voting members for its second annual Song of the Year for Social Change award. The award recognizes creators of message-driven music that responds to contemporary social issues and has the potential to positively impact the world.
This is a special achievement award and not a regular competitive Grammy Award. Entries will be reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Committee and winners will be selected.
The first award was presented at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards on February 5th by First Lady Jill Biden, who also presented Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That” for song of the year. Ta. The first winner was “Baraye” by Iranian singer-songwriter Sherbin Hajipour.
Songs that were commercially released during the past three Grammy Awards periods (October 1, 2020 to September 15, 2023) are eligible for this award. The submission period began a week ago (July 17th) and runs until August 31st.
This award recognizes a single or track from any musical genre and is given to a songwriter. Songs must include music and lyrics in any language, provided approved English lyrics are submitted.
“We are pleased to offer this award, proposed by our voting members, to recognize creators of message-driven music that responds to contemporary social issues and has the potential to positively impact the world. ,” the academy said in an email. Its members.
The Academy also focuses on peace, security, human dignity, climate crisis, mental health, civil rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, anti-bullying, communities in need, voting rights, homelessness, inequality, and hunger. access (food security), disability rights, access to education, indigenous peoples/land use/resources.
The eligibility and selection criteria set by the Academy are as follows (lightly edited for space and clarity):
- “This award recognizes songs that have had a deep impact and impact on society.
- “Submissions must include lyrical content that a) addresses a timely social issue; b) addresses a subject that impacts a community of people in need. Explore. c) Promote awareness, raise awareness, and build empathy.
- “This song may reference previous works and may include previously recorded or published lyrical material. Additionally, a significant degree of new creative and lyrical content is required. Songwriters of new songs are eligible to receive the award. Determination of songwriter eligibility for previously recorded or published lyric works will be at the Academy’s discretion.
- “Recordings that feature samples or interpolations are eligible. However, according to Grammy rules, songwriters whose material is sampled or interpolated are not eligible to win the award.”
- “Songs that have previously been recognized as finalists for this award will not be considered.
- “Songs that have previously been nominated for a Grammy or won a Grammy are eligible for this honor as long as they meet the award’s commercial release eligibility criteria.
- “Selection criteria include the song’s lyrical content, the song’s artistic quality, and the song’s perceived impact in delivering a powerful message that brings awareness to social issues affecting the world.
- “Selection criteria will be based on the principle that social good is ‘acts of benefit that are available to the general public’ and may include songs that affirm the basic humanity of all people. ”
- “In this context, the new award recognizes songs that promote: Understanding – educating and/or raising awareness about the experiences, advocacy and tolerance of other people; Peacebuilding – peace or from dissent; measures aimed at creating or maintaining the freedom of others. Empathy – the ability to understand and share the emotions of others. Positivity – good, positive, constructive qualities or qualities. In contrast, hate speech Songs that contain or encourage violence or terrorism will be considered ineligible.