Ahead of the 2024 GRAMMYs, the Recording Academy has announced the 2024 Special Merit Awards honorees.

Laurie Anderson, the Clark Sisters, Gladys Knight, N.W.A, Donna Summer, and Tammy Wynette are the 2024 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees; Peter Asher, DJ Kool Herc and Joel Katz are the Trustees Award recipients; Tom Kobayashi and Tom Scott are the Technical GRAMMY Award honorees; and “Refugee,” written by K’naan, Steve McEwan, and Gerald Eaton (a.k.a. Jarvis Church), is being honored with the Best Song For Social Change Award. 

The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony celebrating the 2023 Special Merit Award recipients will return to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 3. 

“The Academy is honored to pay tribute to this year’s Special Merit Award recipients — a remarkable group of creators and industry professionals whose impact resonates with generations worldwide,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “Their contributions to music span genres, backgrounds and crafts, reflecting the rich diversity that fuels our creative community. We look forward to honoring these music industry trailblazers next month as part of our week-long celebration leading up to Music’s Biggest Night.”

Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

This Special Merit Award is presented by vote of the Recording Academy’s National Trustees to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording (through 1972, recipients included non-performers).

Laurie Anderson is a writer, director, composer, visual artist, musician, and vocalist who has created groundbreaking works that span the worlds of art, theater, experimental music, and technology. As a performer and musician, she has collaborated with many people including Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, William S. Burroughs, Peter Gabriel, Robert Wilson, Christian McBride, and Philip Glass. In 2002, Anderson was appointed the first artist-in-residence of NASA which culminated in her 2004 touring solo performance, The End of the Moon. She has been nominated for six GRAMMY Awards throughout her recording career and received a GRAMMY for the release Landfall in collaboration with the Kronos Quartet at the 61st GRAMMYs. 

The Clark Sisters, an American gospel vocal group initially consisting of five sisters: Jacky, Denise, Elbernita, Dorinda, and Karen – have been taking the world by storm since the early 1980s. Credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream, the Clark Sisters are considered pioneers of contemporary gospel. Their biggest crossover hits include: “Is My Living in Vain?,” “Hallelujah,” “He Gave Me Nothing to Lose,” “Endow Me,” their hit song “Jesus Is A Love Song,” “Pure Gold,” “Miracle,” and their largest, mainstream crossover gold-certified, “You Brought The Sunshine.” The Clark Sisters (Jacky, Elbernita, Dorinda, and Karen) have won three GRAMMYs (two awarded to the group, and one to Karen as a songwriter for “Blessed and Highly Favored”), and with 16 albums to their credit and millions in sales, they are the highest-selling female gospel group in history.

Gladys Knight is a seven-time GRAMMY Award winner who has enjoyed No. 1 hits in pop, gospel, R&B, and adult contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance. Knight has recorded more than 38 albums over the years including four solo albums. She appeared on ABC’s 14th season of “Dancing With The Stars” in 2012, and in 2019, she competed on the inaugural season of “The Masked Singer.” Knight has sung the National Anthem at several major sporting events, including at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta in 2019, and at the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. She was a National Endowment for the Arts 2021 National Medal of Arts Recipient and received a Kennedy Center Honor for Lifetime Artistic Achievements in 2022.

N.W.A was a rap group from the Compton district in Los Angeles who are credited by many with inventing gangsta rap. The group, consisting of Eazy-E^, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC-Ren, developed a new sound, which brought in many of the loud, extreme sonic innovations of Public Enemy while adopting a self-consciously violent and dangerous lyrical stance. In 1988, N.W.A released their album, Straight Outta Compton, a brutally intense record that became an underground hit without any support from radio or MTV. This negative attention worked in their favor as it brought the album to multiplatinum status. Although the group was short-lived, gangsta rap established itself as the most popular form of hip-hop during the mid-1990s.

Donna Summer^ rocketed to international superstardom with her groundbreaking merger of R&B, soul, pop, funk, rock, disco, and avant-garde electronica, catapulting underground dance music out of the clubs of Europe and bringing it to the world. Summer holds the record with three consecutive double albums to hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts (the only solo artist to ever accomplish this), and first female artist to have four No. 1 singles in a 12-month period on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. A five-time GRAMMY winner and 18-time GRAMMY nominee, Summer was the first artist to win the GRAMMY for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female (1979, “Hot Stuff”) as well as the first-ever recipient of the new GRAMMY Category for Best Dance Recording (1997, “Carry On”). Summer was the first female artist to win GRAMMY Awards in four different genres: dance, gospel, rock, and R&B.

Tammy Wynette^ first hit the musical scene in 1966 with “Apartment #9” after moving to Nashville and teaming up with record producer Billy Sherrill. Together, the duo wrote songs that reflected the yearnings and the things Wynette felt were important in her life. In 1968, Wynette released “Stand By Your Man,” which sold more than five million singles and became the largest-selling single ever recorded by a female artist. By 1970, she racked up five No. 1 country hits, was named the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year three times, and won two GRAMMYs. Wynette was the first female country music singer to sell over one million albums and has sold more than 30 million records grossing more than $100 million, earning her the title “The First Lady of Country Music.”

Read More: GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Awards | The Complete List

Trustees Award Honorees

This Special Merit Award is presented by vote of the Recording Academy’s National Trustees to individuals who, during their careers in music, have made significant contributions, other than performance, to the field of recording (through 1983, recipients included performers).

Peter Asher’s career began in 1964 as one-half of Peter & Gordon, whose “A World Without Love” topped the charts worldwide. Nine more Top 20 hits followed before Asher became head of A&R for the Beatles’ Apple Records in 1968, and discovered, produced and managed James Taylor; later adding Linda Ronstadt, Neil Diamond, 10,000 Maniacs, Cher, Diana Ross, Kenny Loggins, Bonnie Raitt, Robin Williams, Stevie Nicks, Lyle Lovett, Morrissey, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Ed Sheeran, and more to his roster. Asher won the GRAMMY for Producer Of The Year in both 1977 and 1989. He hosts a hit radio show “From Me To You” on Sirius XM and is much in demand not only in the studio but as a performer, speaker and author.

The legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee DJ Kool Herc is consistently credited as the founder of hip-hop. His mastery at the turntables is known worldwide, as are his positive contributions to the evolution of hip-hop culture. Herc’s popularity rose by playing long sets of assorted rhythm breaks strung together. Unlike any of his DJ counterparts, Herc is not a rapid rapper who keeps your head spinning with a patter, but he is a musical innovator to the turntables. He first introduced using two turntables to make the beats last longer, creating the illusion of one long break for the B-Boys to show off their skills. Herc has received a great deal of recognition during his lifetime, including his induction into the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and recognition from the New York Landmarks Conservancy as a 2023 Living Landmark. 

Joel Katz has played a profound role in shaping the entertainment industry through his work in facilitating entertainment-related corporate acquisitions and mergers and consulting multi-national and multi-media entertainment companies. Katz was ranked Billboard magazine’s No. 1 entertainment attorney in its “Power 100” list of most powerful executives in the music business and has been called “the dealmaker who thinks outside the box.” At Kennesaw State University, Katz endowed and began a commercial music program – one of the largest music education programs in America with over 500 students. He has authored and co-authored many articles and commentary on topics concerning entertainment law. In honor of his work, the University of Tennessee College of Law dedicated its library in his name, the Joel A. Katz Law Library.

Read More: GRAMMY Trustees Awards | The Complete List

Technical GRAMMY Award Honorees

This Special Merit Award is presented by vote of the Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees and ratification by the Recording Academy's National Trustees to individuals and/or companies/organizations/institutions who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field. 

Tom Kobayashi^ and Tom Scott met at Lucasfilm’s Skywalker Sound in 1985, when the duo joined the company and completed the building of the Skywalker post-production facilities in both Northern and Southern California. Together, Kobayashi and Scott launched the Entertainment Digital Network, also known as “EDnet,” which employed fiber-optic networks to send high-quality video and audio great distances. Its then-revolutionary technology enabled the industry to link together talent, executives and production facilities at great cost savings. For 25 years, that company connected hundreds of recording studios worldwide in the days before the Internet could handle high-quality audio. EDnet became a part of Onstream Media, and over the decades, tens of thousands of long-distance collaboration sessions were facilitated for the music, advertising, TV, and cinema businesses. 

Best Song For Social Change Award Honorees

This Special Merit Award honors songwriter(s) of message-driven music that speaks to the social issues of our time and has demonstrated and inspired positive global impact. The finalists and recipient(s) are selected annually by a Blue-Ribbon Committee composed of a community of peers dedicated to artistic expression, the craft of songwriting and the power of songs to effect social change. See past recipients here.

In June 2023, singer-songwriter K’naan released the inspiring single and accompanying video “Refugee,” co-written by GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter Steve McEwan and GRAMMY-nominated producer Gerald Eaton (also known by his stage name, Jarvis Church). “Refugee” stands out as a distinctive musical endeavor, skillfully interweaving personal and political narratives, and serving as a tribute to refugees around the world. With the single, K’naan drew inspiration from his personal experiences, aiming to redefine the traditional perception of the term “refugee” into a symbol of resilience and strength. The song was written with the hopes of encouraging individuals to embrace the word “refugee” proudly and to give those made homeless by conflict a song that felt like home.

Read More: GRAMMY Technical Awards | The Complete List

^Denotes posthumous honoree.

2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List

God only knows if Brian Wilson was ever as happy as the feel-good summer songs he penned made others feel. What’s known is Wilson, who passed away June 11 at age 82, is now singing heavenly harmonies in that great gig in the sky with his younger brothers Dennis and Carl, who predeceased him.

At a loss for words, Wilson’s surviving family members announced the death of The Beach Boys’ visionary via his website and on social media. No cause was given, but the artist’s declining health in recent years was well-documented. Sadly, in the twilight of his life and career, Wilson suffered from dementia and a diminishing capacity to manage his own affairs. 

Over a career spanning 60 years, the musical genius leaves behind a legacy of hits — both with the Beach Boys — and via his solo records. But, the two-time GRAMMY-winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is remembered for much more than the chart-topping songs he co-wrote like "Help Me, Rhonda," "I Get Around," and "Good Vibrations."

Beyond his commercial success with The Beach Boys — more than 100 million records sold, four No.1 Billboard hits, and more than 33 platinum and gold records (the greatest hits album Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of the Beach Boys sold three million copies alone) — and his solo work (winning a pair of GRAMMY Awards) there are few genres the virtuoso did not have an influence on over the past six decades.

Read more: How Brian Wilson Crafted The Beach Boys' Early Sound: A Symphony Of Inspirations, From Boogie-Woogie To Barbershop

"The Recording Academy mourns the loss of Brian Wilson, a true musical genius whose work with The Beach Boys and beyond not only shaped the ‘California sound’ we know and love, but also modern music," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO, Recording Academy and MusiCares. 

"A two-time GRAMMY winner, 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and 2005 MusiCares Person of the Year, Brian's legacy is immeasurable. His innovative songwriting and timeless music throughout his decades-long career has inspired many generations. Brian’s spirit and sound will live on forever. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the music community."

To honor the life of Brian Wilson, CBS will re-air "A GRAMMY Salute To The Beach Boys" on Sunday, June 15 at 9 p.m. PT. The special originally aired in 2023; clips from the special can be viewed here.

California Dreamin’

The Beach Boys started in Hawthorne, California in 1961, when Brian and younger brothers Carl and Dennis, recruited cousin Mike Love and childhood friend Al Jardine. The group’s debut, Surfin’ Safari, was released in 1962. The title cut peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a harbinger — and a hint—of what was to come from these young lads. 

The following year, the Beach Boys released not just one, but three albums: Surfin’ U.S.A., Surfer Girl, and Little Deuce Coupe and from 1962 to 1966, the group were everywhere, churning out hit after hit with 13 singles in the Top 10. 

Like Pablo Picasso or Vincent Van Gogh, masters who created hues and artistic techniques never witnessed before they splashed paint on canvases, Wilson did the same with sound. At the heart a listener — with heightened auditory perceptions — that’s what Wilson was. His lifelong fascination with recording, overdubbing and experimenting with sound started from the moment he received a reel-to-reel tape recorder for his 16th birthday. That curiosity never stopped.

Listen: 50 Essential Songs By The Beach Boys Ahead Of "A GRAMMY Salute" To America's Band

Wilson combined complex and innovative musical arrangements, along with lush orchestration to songs that defined an era and created a sound unlike any previously heard in pop music. The Renaissance man was a sonic genius long before the term was coined. A modern Mozart, who combined classical music sensibilities with mainstream pop, Wilson was a musical hero to his peers. As Bob Dylan is oft-quoted of Wilson’s talents: " Jesus, that ear. He should donate it to the Smithsonian."

The artist’s studio wizardry and ingenuity influenced his contemporaries in the 1960s — everyone from Neil Young and Paul Simon to Heart’s Ann Wilson — as well as younger artists like Weezer, Fleet Foxes, and Vampire Weekend. His timeless creations are sure to impact the hitmakers of tomorrow. 

Wilson’s accolades include induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beach Boys in 1988; the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. And, in 2007, induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. Five Beach Boys songs have been inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame.

Following news of the singer/songwriter’s passing, fellow artists, celebrities, and everyday people, wrote tributes on social media, with odes to Wilson pouring in non-stop throughout the day. "Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch," wrote Mick Fleetwood. The Monkees’ Mickey Dolenz added: "His melodies shaped generations, & his soul resonated in every note."

Paul McCartney, who was famously impressed by Wilson's talents, remembered the singer on Instagram: "Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows’."

Writer-director Cameron Crowe chimed in "Those transcendent words and happy/sad melodies will be there for all-time, waiting for each new generation." And, composer and touring keyboardist Robin Hatch, who has toured with Porno For Pyros, F*cked Up and Our Lady Peace, said: "Those songs are weird but they don’t even seem weird. In a million years AI could never churn out a ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice.’"

Actor John Stamos, who has performed with the Beach Boys, similarly offered tribute to Wilson in an Instagram post. "Brian Wilson didn’t just soundtrack my life…he filled it with color, with wonder, with some of the most unforgettable, emotional, joyful moments I’ve ever known," Stamos wrote. "He heard things no one else could hear. He felt things deeper than most of us ever will. And somehow, he turned all of that into music that wrapped itself around the world and made us all feel less alone."

Nothing To "Smile" About

Wilson was a once-in-a-generation talent. An artiste, the musician forever sought new and innovative ways to sculpt and refine songs, using mixing and overdubbing techniques to layer harmonies and experimenting with the latest technology to create orchestral arrangements in pop that popped when the needle dropped. These memorable melodies remain woven into the fabric of modern pop culture and make first-time listeners shake their heads in wonder.  

Born June 20, 1942 in Inglewood, California to Murry and Audree Wilson, Brian spent his formative years in the southwest L.A. city of Hawthorne. Music, for Brian, was an escape from an abusive father, who tormented him physically and mentally. Music provided a vehicle to channel these feelings; his lyrics and openness about his depression, addictions, and mental health struggles helped generations of teenagers acknowledge it’s okay to not be okay, making them feel not so alone. 

Learn more: 10 Memorable Oddities By The Beach Boys: Songs About Root Beer, Raising Babies & Ecological Collapse

While Wilson and the Beach Boys sang often (especially in the early days) of an idyllic endless summer of beaches, cars, and good vibrations to throngs of adoring fans in public at sold-out arenas and stadiums, his private life was far from sun-splashed. Listen to the GRAMMY Hall of Fame-inducted "In My Room," a tender melancholic ballad written from the point of view of a teen who finds refuge in their bedroom. Or, "God Only Knows" — an orchestral opus written, arranged and produced when Wilson was just 23 — which Paul McCartney considers the "greatest song ever written."

Creating His Magnum Opus

Good music makes you feel, but by the late 1960s Wilson did not feel like performing and making public appearances anymore. Anxiety, combined with an ever-growing dependency on drugs, caused a panic attack on a flight to Houston for a Beach Boys’ gig that led him to quit touring. In the ensuing years and decades, Wilson increasingly focused on songwriting and production work. 

The songwriter’s public struggles with mental health resonated on a different level than the Beach Boys’ sunnier summer songs upon release and decades later. Steven Page, former member of the Barenaked Ladies, was touched by the artist’s journey and wrote the song "Brian Wilson" when he was just a 19-year-old college student living in Toronto and struggling with his own mental health issues. Wilson’s openness led Page to pen what is still one of the Barenaked Ladies fan favorites that appeared on the band’s debut studio album Gordon in 1992. 

The Beach Boys’ harmonies are the bar that groups ever since have attempted to emulate. Though many of their earliest songs idealized the California lifestyle and rode the wave of the surf craze, Brian Wilson’s 1966 studio masterpiece Pet Sounds is often cited as one of the first concept records for its cohesiveness from start to finish — following a narrative arc similar to a three-act play with a distinct beginning, middle, climax and denouement. In a 2010 interview, Wilson ambiguously described this conceptual idea, saying, "If you take the Pet Sounds album as a collection of art pieces, each designed to stand alone, yet which belong together, you’ll see what I was aiming at." 

While the album only peaked at No. 10 upon release largely because listeners familiar with the radio-friendly pop hits did not know how to react to this batch of complex, meticulously curated songs. Wilson’s brainchild and magnum opus — a bildungsroman put to music — Pet Sounds is perennially ranked one of the greatest rock albums ever made.

In 1988, Wilson, along with his Beach Boys’ mates, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; that same year, the singer/songwriter released his debut solo record, simply titled Brian Wilson. In the 2000s, the artist returned to his group’s catalogue and re-recorded Smile, the unfinished and abandoned Beach Boys’ album meant as the follow-up to Pet Sounds, never released due to creative differences among band members. At the 2005 awards, the record garnered Wilson his first GRAMMY for the instrumental song, "Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow."

Learn more: The Beach Boys' 'Sail On Sailor' Reframes Two Obscure 1970s Albums. Why Were They Obscure In The First Place?

Outside of music, Wilson continued to shine a light on mental health issues. In 2015, he  partnered with mental health advocacy group Change Direction, a coalition dedicated to changing America's views about mental health, mental illness, and wellness.

From the smiles to the sadness to the endless summer songs, Wilson’s genius lives on. As Bruce Springsteen said of his friend and mentor in the documentary: Brian Wilson: The Long and Promised Land: "[He] just took you out of where you were and took you to another place."

Watch highlights from the 2025 GRAMMYs on live.GRAMMY.com.

The 2025 GRAMMYs telecast has been reimagined to raise funds for MusiCares Fire Relief, a dedicated campaign to support the people affected by the recent wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Donate now.

It was almost impossible not to feel hopeful about the future the moment the Special Merit Awards ceremony kicked off on Feb. 1 during 2025 GRAMMYs Week.

Onstage at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, a montage showing the smiling faces of previous recipients — all legends who transformed the course of popular music — was accompanied by snippets of such recordings as Tina Turner’s soulful "What’s Love Got To Do With It" and Aretha Franklin’s majestic reading of Puccini’s opera classic "Nessun Dorma."

The video felt especially poignant on that balmy afternoon, as Los Angeles is still reeling from the catastrophic fires that disrupted the lives of thousands — including many of the city’s musicians.

"We have to acknowledge the hardship that many of our fellow creators are experiencing," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said during his introductory remarks, pausing to note the magnitude of Musicares’ Fire Relief efforts.

Read more: Recording Academy & MusiCares Expand Wildfire Relief Efforts With New Partnerships During 2025 GRAMMYs

Noting that this is a vital time to recognize the importance of music education in our nation, Mason Jr. introduced the 2025 Music Educator Award. Its 12th winner is Adrian Maclin, a teacher at Cordova High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

"I’m always looking for that a-ha moment in the classroom," Maclin, who was chosen for his lifelong commitment to excellence, said in a pre-recorded video. "It almost brings a tear to my eye when that happens. I’m a big cry baby."

As he received the award, Maclin recalled planning his Sunday on GRAMMY day during his childhood, hoping one day to be part of the festivities. He then described his current schedule, waking up at 3:45 a.m. every day to start his day and make a difference in the classroom. "It’s not a class," he explained. "It’s a choir family."

The year’s Technical GRAMMY honoree was the late Leo Beranek, an acoustics expert, author and professor who lived 102 years and consulted in the evaluation of concert halls across the globe.

Next up were the three Trustee Awards: legendary jazz pianist Erroll Garner, who wrote the standard "Misty" and secured a vital legal victory for artists’ rights; groundbreaking Cuban American classical composer and conductor Tania León; and 82-year-old English producer Glyn Johns, whose naturalistic approach to the recording process worked wonders with the Beatles, the Stones and Led Zeppelin, among many others.

"Having been notified of this award last November, my main objective has been to remain alive," quipped Jones. "During the past 65 years, I got to work with some of the most innovative artists of their time, without whom I wouldn’t be standing here."

It was time to honor the Lifetime Achievement recipients, and the first one was given to singer/songwriter Frankie Beverly, known for his work with iconic funk group Maze. Beverly passed away in September 2024 at age 77, but his son — drummer Anthony Beverly — accepted the award in his name.

"My father was a force of nature," he said. "He referred to his fans as 'his people,' and wrote songs about love, community and freedom."

Read more: 2025 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List

The fighting spirit of the ‘70s punk movement in England was celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award for the Clash, whose albums London Calling (1979) and the triple LP Sandinista! (1980) rewrote the rulebook of rock. Public Enemy leader Chuck D accepted the trophy on their behalf and read a message from the band: "Chuck, as you heard our voices, we also heard yours."

An 85-year-old pioneer who combined his passion for music with a religious calling, singer and television host Dr. Bobby Jones summed up his four decade career spreading the beauty of gospel.

"I’m going to continue doing this as long as God gives me the strength to do it," he enthused. "It’s all in the hands of the Lord."

Framed by his two daughters — and backup vocalists — GRAMMY-winning guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal spoke of his stubborn determination to honor his ancestors and blend the blues and jazz that he grew up listening to with a vivid mosaic of sounds from the Caribbean, India and Hawaii. "We’re all in this together," said the maestro born in New York 82 years ago. "The audience is always part of the performance. The blues were living so deep inside me, I had to do it," he added, in reference to the challenges of building up a lasting musical legacy.

A short video featuring excerpts from such anthems as "Purple Rain" and "Little Red Corvette" introduced one of the most moving moments of the ceremony, as the late Prince received a posthumous award for his monumental contribution to popular music – and his uncanny ability to challenge conventions and redefine the meaning of artistry.

Jimmy Jam, former member of the funk-rock band the Time, was one of the many musicians onstage who shared their experiences working with Prince. "He had the best work ethic of anyone I have ever known," he said. "He showed me that if I worked my ass off, I would get better."

The importance of women in the development of hip-hop was brought to the forefront when pioneering Queens rapper Roxanne Shanté received her Lifetime Achievement Award — the only solo female rapper to do so — with a poignant recollection of the dreams she harbored when she was first making a name for herself.

"I was bright eyed, bushy tailed, and knew that I wanted three things," she admitted. "I wanted to have a record in the Billboard charts, I wanted to get paid for it, and I wanted a GRAMMY." She paused, then added with a sparkle in her eyes: "I have achieved them all."

King of the falsetto and Four Seasons frontman Frankie Valli was equally exuberant about his award. "I don’t know what took so long, but that’s the way it goes," the 90-year-old hitmaker said, eliciting a wave of laughter from the audience. "Music has been my whole life – there’s nothing else I know," he added, before offering some valuable music industry advice: "If you don’t do it yourself, usually it doesn’t get done."

The presentation ended on a self-reflecting note, as Iman Jordan won the newly renamed Harry Belafonte Song for Social Change Award for his stirring 2024 single "Deliver." Jordan quoted Nina Simone’s belief that art should always reflect the current times, before thanking his mother for encouraging him to use his words as a catalyst of change.

"In this world, it’s only we," he said. "And we need to come together."

The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 2. Watch highlights from the 2025 GRAMMYs on live.GRAMMY.com.

The 2025 GRAMMYs telecast will be reimagined to raise funds to support wildfire relief efforts and aid music professionals impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Donate to the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals.

Ahead of the 2025 GRAMMYs on Feb. 2, the Recording Academy has chosen the 2025 recipients of its Harry Belafonte Best Song For Social Change Award, Music Educator Award presented with the GRAMMY Museum, and Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Contest scholarships. 

Harry Belafonte Best Song For Social Change Award

The Recording Academy has selected the powerful anthem for unity, “Deliver” — written by Iman Jordan (performer), Roy Gartrell, Tam Jones, and Ariel Loh — as the recipient of its Harry Belafonte Best Song For Social Change Award this year. The prestigious honor will be presented to Jordan, Gartrell, Jones, and Loh at the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Feb. 1 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

Jordan, Gartrell, Jones, and Loh’s “Deliver” powerfully captures the challenges of today’s sociopolitical climate and the struggle to communicate and reconcile differences. As a rallying cry against war, the song calls for unity, civility and meaningful dialogue. It highlights how sensationalized media, politics and unchecked algorithms have compromised our ability to see each other’s humanity. The song also addresses the harsh realities of war-torn communities while offering a message of hope through understanding and tough conversations.

The Harry Belafonte Best Song For Social Change Award is a CEO’s Merit Award established by the Recording Academy’s National Trustees in 2022 to honor songwriters of message-driven music that speaks to the social issues of our time and has demonstrated and inspired positive global impact. Recipient(s) are selected annually by a committee composed of a community of peers dedicated to artistic expression, the craft of songwriting and the power of songs to effect social change. Named in honor of the late entertainment icon Harry Belafonte, a powerful voice for social justice throughout his illustrious career, this award recognizes exceptional contributions to music and social advocacy.

Read more: The Recording Academy Announces 2025 Special Merit Award Honorees: Prince, The Clash, Taj Mahal, Roxanne Shante & Many More

Music Educator Award 

Adrian L. Maclin of Cordova High School in Memphis, Tennessee, is the recipient of the 2025 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. Maclin will also be recognized during the Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Sat, Feb. 1. In addition, nine music teachers have been announced as finalists for the award. Initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states. A complete list of the recipients is below. 

The Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. The award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers are also able to nominate themselves, and nominated teachers are notified and invited to fill out an application.

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives. They will receive a $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for their school's music program. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium and matching grants. The remaining 15 semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.

The Music Educator Award program, including honorariums, is made possible by the generosity and support of The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association support this program through outreach to their constituencies. Nominations and applications for the 2026 Music Educator Award are now open via grammymusicteacher.com. 

Read more: Adrian L. Maclin Named Recipient Of The 2025 Music Educator Award

Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Contest

The Recording Academy Entertainment Law Initiative has selected Melanie Sallis of Georgia State University College of Law as the winner of its annual ELI Writing Contest. In addition, two students have been announced as the runners-up for the Contest. A complete list of the recipients is below.

The Recording Academy established the Entertainment Law Initiative in partnership with the nation’s most prominent entertainment attorneys to promote discussion and debate around compelling legal matters and trends in the ever-evolving music industry. Co-sponsored by the American Bar Association, the ELI Writing Contest challenges law students to identify and research a current legal issue in the music industry and outline a proposed solution in an essay. The winning paper is published in the ABA’s journal, Entertainment & Sports Lawyer.

A $10,000 scholarship is awarded to the winner, $2,500 scholarships are given to two runners-up, and all three receive a mentor session with a leading entertainment attorney. The winner will also receive tickets to attend the 2025 GRAMMYs and MusiCares Persons Of The Year.

The 2025 GRAMMYs will be broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on CBS and available to stream live on Paramount+. Prior to the telecast, the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel.

Read more: How To Watch The 2025 GRAMMYs Live: Performers, Host, Air Date, Red Carpet, Streaming Channels & More

To stay updated on the latest 2025 GRAMMYs news, visit GRAMMY.com.

The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 2. Watch highlights from the 2025 GRAMMYs on live.GRAMMY.com.

The 2025 GRAMMYs telecast will be reimagined to raise funds to support wildfire relief efforts and aid music professionals impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Donate to the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals.

The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced Adrian L. Maclin of Cordova High School in Memphis, Tennessee, as the 2025 Music Educator Award recipient. Maclin, an esteemed choral director with nearly two decades of teaching experience, has been honored for his exceptional dedication to music education and his lasting impact on students' lives.

He will be recognized during the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Maclin's choirs have performed at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Tennessee Music Educators Association conference, and he serves on several music education leadership boards. His commitment extends beyond the classroom, supporting fellow educators and advocating for equitable access to high-quality choral music programs.

In addition to Maclin, nine other finalists have been recognized for their dedication to music education, each receiving a $1,000 honorarium along with a matching grant for their schools.

Celebrating Music Educators Nationwide

The Music Educator Award recognizes teachers who make a lasting impact on students through exceptional music education programs. The award is open to all U.S. music teachers, and nominations are submitted by students, parents, colleagues, and community members.

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists, with the honoree receiving a $10,000 honorarium and a matching grant for their school’s music program. The remaining finalists each receive $1,000 with matching grants, while 15 semifinalists receive $500 honorariums with school grants.

The program is supported by the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, along with the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association.

About Adrian L. Maclin

Now in his twelfth year as Director of Choirs at Cordova High School, Adrian L. Maclin has been instrumental in shaping young musicians. A graduate of Philander Smith University, Maclin was inspired by his own music teachers in Memphis City Schools and has since become a mentor to educators and students alike.

Under his leadership, Cordova’s choirs have performed on national stages, gaining recognition for their emotionally compelling and thought-provoking performances.

Maclin also serves as Minister of Music at Mount Moriah-East Baptist Church, Assistant Artistic Director for Memphis Choral Arts, and conductor for the Memphis Men’s Chorale. His dedication to mentoring young musicians has earned him previous accolades, including recognition as a Country Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence.

Nominate A Teacher For The 2026 Music Educator Award

Nominations and applications for the 2026 Music Educator Award are now open. Students, parents, colleagues, and community members are encouraged to nominate outstanding music educators who inspire and shape the next generation of musicians.

To submit a nomination or learn more, visit GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com.