How GRAMMYS On The Hill 2026 Fought To Protect Human Creativity In The Age Of AI

The Recording Academy celebrated the 25th anniversary of GRAMMYS On The Hill in Washington, D.C., this week, once again championing the music community and advancing policy priorities that protect creators' rights. The annual initiative, the Academy's signature music advocacy and policy event in Washington, D.C., brings together music creators, industry leaders and lawmakers for three days of advocacy, celebration and conversation.

"GRAMMYS On The Hill represents the core of the Recording Academy's year-round work to advocate for music people and ensure their rights are safeguarded in our culture," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said. "As we mark 25 years of GRAMMYS On The Hill, we are reminded that music creators must remain at the center of every conversation shaping the future of the industry, especially as AI and other emerging technologies continue to transform it."

On Tuesday, April 21, over 200 Recording Academy members, industry leaders and members of congress gathered at The Hamilton Live in downtown Washington, D.C., for the GRAMMYS On The Hill Awards. This year, the event honored Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL)for their bipartisan work to protect musicians as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the music industry. The two lawmakers are champions of the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act, landmark legislation that would establish federal protections against unauthorized AI-generated replicas of a person's voice and likeness. In addition to saluting this year's honorees, the night featured several performances that commemorated 250 years of American music.

"Musicians are magic makers, finding the perfect harmony for every moment from our sorrows to our joys," Sen. Coons said. "That work - that magic - deserves to be protected. Today, too many artists have had their intellectual property, likenesses and livelihoods stolen by online pirates and AI artists. I'm proud to be spearheading efforts in Congress to safeguard your ideas and creativity because what you do cannot be replaced. As a Senator, I've had the opportunity to travel all over the world and have seen how American music helps people see us, understand us, and believe in our American dream. You connect us to the world, and you inspire the world. That's what I'm going to keep fighting for. Thank you for this honor."

"I'm truly honored to be recognized by the Recording Academy, a distinction that underscores the vital role music creators play in shaping our culture and economy," Rep. Salazar said. "At a time of rapid technological change, protecting the voices, rights and livelihoods of artists is more important than ever. I remain committed to advancing policies like NO FAKES Act to ensure creators are respected, their work is protected, and their likeness is never exploited."

The following day, on Wednesday, April 22, GRAMMYS On The Hill Advocacy Day brought artists, songwriters, producers, and other music advocates to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and discuss one of the most pressing issues facing creators today: the impact of artificial intelligence on the music community. As AI reshapes the music landscape, the Recording Academy is advocating for policies that ensure human creators are protected, credited and fairly compensated.

Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists, including Durand Bernarr, Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Maggie Rose, and Molly Tuttle, met with lawmakers, including Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), along with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Jason Smith (R-MO), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), to discuss the importance of the NO FAKES Act as well as the Transparency and Responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Networks (TRAIN) Act and the Copyright Labeling and Ethical AI Reporting (CLEAR) Act.

In addition to meetings with lawmakers, GRAMMYS On The Hill Advocacy Day included a round-table briefing focused on AI and the future of music with Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Peter Welch (D-VT).

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The day concluded with a reception on Capitol Hill hosted by the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective, in cooperation with the Congressional Black Caucus, to honor the enduring influence of Black music and its profound impact on American culture. The reception featured a performance by Durand Bernarr, as well as a special presentation from Amazon Music and Black Music Collective Co-Chairs J. Ivy and Torae, who presented a $10,000 donation to Howard University as recipients of the 2026 "Your Future Is Now" music equipment grant.

GRAMMYS On The Hill concludes today (Thursday, April 23) with the third annual Future Forum, a conference convening music creators, industry leaders and policymakers for engaging discussions on the most pressing issues shaping the music industry. Future Forum will feature a keynote conversation with Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. and YouTube Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen, exploring how the creative community and industry leaders can work together to face the challenges presented by artificial intelligence. Chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees, Dr. Chelsey Green, will lead a panel on the role of music education in preparing the next generation for the future. Other programming will include a panel presented with the Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing on how artists are using AI in the recording studio, and a discussion on how music builds up cities and communities across the United States.

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Since its inception, GRAMMYS On The Hill has led to several major legislative victories for the music industry, including the landmark Music Modernization Act in 2018 and, more recently, the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in 2022. Year-round, the Recording Academy's Washington, D.C.-based Advocacy team mobilizes Academy members and music professionals from across the country to present a powerful lobbying force that fights for music creators' rights at the local, state and federal levels.

How To Get Involved

As GRAMMYS On The Hill 2026 gets underway, now is the time to stand with music creators. Reach out to your elected officials and encourage them to support the TRAIN Act, the NO FAKES Act and the CLEAR Act.

Join the conversation: Use our 2026 GRAMMYS On The Hill social media toolkit and post on social media to make your voice heard.

Learn how you can join the effort to support creators throughout the year by visiting our Advocacy page and following our Facebook page.

Music Advocacy Initiatives & Issues To Know