Editor’s Note: Updated Monday, June 23, to add links to recently published recaps of GRAMMY House NYC events.
Rhythm & Soul — one of many events held during the Recording Academy’s first GRAMMY House pop-up experience in New York City — was a carefully curated experience celebrating the undeniable innovation and influence of Black musicians.
Held June 14 at the midtown venue SECOND and presented by the organization’s Black Music Collective — a part of the Recording Academy's DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Musicmakers) Initiative, a network of resource groups spotlighting the cultural contributions of music industry professionals — the brunch welcomed a range of industry professionals to celebrate Black Music Month and experience the Academy’s dedication to and ongoing work in inclusivity. (Read our 2024 GRAMMY Impact Report to learn more about how the Recording Academy supports and uplifts Black artists and music professionals on a year-round basis.)
Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a massive, life-sized GRAMMY award sculpture before heading upstairs to the main event space. A DJ played bouncy, upbeat music that echoed throughout as the crowd mixed and mingled, enjoying light bites and plenty of photo ops.
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@grammys 🎶 Day 2 of #GRAMMYHouseNYC was a celebration of culture, advocacy, and unapologetic artistry. 🖤🌈 We started the day with Rhythm & Soul, an intimate brunch celebrating Black Music Month in a way that honored community, creativity, and culture. From there, Artist to Advocate sparked important conversations on how artists can lead change and use their voices for impact, not just expression. And to close out this unforgettable weekend, Out & Proud lit up the night with bold performances and joyful celebration of the LGBTQIA+ music community, reminding us all that the talent within the Queer community is unique and unmatched! . 🌟🎤 Thank you to GRAMMY House NYC partners @United Airlines, @A2IM, @maccosmetics, @The MLC, SECOND, and @Voss Water USA.
Ricky Lyon, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at the Academy, was the first to address the crowd once everyone made their way into the theater, thanking everyone for making it out despite the stormy weather. Next to take the stage was Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., who echoed Lyon’s thoughts and posited the Black Music Collective as a critical arm of the Academy. He then emphasized the dedication to evolving the Academy into a more inclusive and representative organization, step by step.
Rhythm & Soul culminated with an intimate fireside chat with multi-hyphenates Stacy Barthe and Laila!, moderated by Carl Lamarre, Senior Director of R&B/Hip-Hop at Billboard. Their discussion took an earnest look into the experiences of Black musicians in the industry, and the importance of community with Barthe and Laila!
Two-time GRAMMY nominee Barthe has over 20 years of experience as a singer/songwriter, working with the likes of Katy Perry, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, and Nipsey Hussle. Laila!, a newcomer to the industry, experienced viral success in 2024 with her self-produced hit, "Not My Problem." Both offered valuable insights into their experiences as Black women musicians, and their anecdotes illustrating the evolving standards of the industry.
Barthe acknowledged how impressed she was that Laila! has few people gatekeeping her success — a difference from Barthe's own experience as a young artist in Los Angeles. Laila!’s success exemplifies this path, foregoing meetings with executives to push her art and instead reaching her audience directly through social media.
Both artists also detailed the importance of community in their artistic careers. Barthe detailed her early experiences in writing camps and the fun, family-like atmosphere they provided. Her feature on the title track of Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap resulted from a friendship with the rapper; Barthe laid down vocals in 2015 before Nipsey revisited them. It was through the late legend that Barthe connected with Beyoncé — a sterling example of the importance of collaboration and community in her career.
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This sentiment has shifted for newcomers like Laila!, who may sing, write, and produce on their own. Laila! admitted that she didn't seek out collaborators early in her career because she could do everything herself. After proving to herself she could make viral music independently, Laila! identified Steve Lacy, Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean as some of her dream collaborators.
When Lemarre asked how the industry could better serve Black women, Laila! offered a simple suggestion that set off uproarious laughter: "Shut up!" The young artist explained that she has received numerous unsolicited opinions and suggestions, but would prefer to explore and refine her process without any input.
The event closed with an intimate performance by Laila! featuring tracks from her 2024 self-produced album Gap Year! and EP IN CTRL! She played keys and mixed tracks live as she swooned the crowd with her velvety vocals. Guests left with a carefully curated selection of goodies.
Read More: GRAMMY House NYC's Artist To Advocate Panel: 5 Lessons In Using Your Voice For Good
Overall, Rhythm & Soul reflected the Recording Academy’s commitment to evolving into a more inclusive and representative organization. By tapping industry vets like Lemarre and Barthe, as well as newcomers like Laila!, the Academy successfully honored the impact of Black artists from both the past and present. Regardless of the level of experience, Black musicians continue to demonstrate their unrivaled path as innovators.
GRAMMY House NYC partners include United Airlines, A2IM (American Association of Independent Music), M·A·C Cosmetics, the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), Chef Laurent Tourondel’s event venue SECOND, and VOSS Water.