The Grammys launch task force to address "biases that impede female advancement"
Following the controversial comments made by Neil Portnow
A week on from the 2018 Grammys and the world is still talking about the controversy that took place.
The 60th annual Grammy Awards was held on 28 January and the event caused a huge stir globally as female artists were awarded wins for only 17 of the 86 categories.
A swell of bad press was directed at the Academy after Neil Portnow, the president of the organisation, was quoted saying that women in the industry need to "step up". He was interviewed backstage at the ceremony where he was also questioned as to why Lorde, the only female artist to be nominated for Album Of The Year, wasn’t invited to perform.
Portnow has since said the comments were taken out of context, and that he failed to convey the point he was trying to make.
Since the award show aired, Neil Portnow has released a new statement. He has stated that the Recording Academy will be examining its practices, reviewing every aspect of what they do as an organisation and identifying where they can do more to overcome the explicit barriers that impede female advancement in the music community.
Portnow has said they plan to "tackle whatever truths are revealed".
The initial remarks regarding why more women are not receiving recognition within the industry has led to calls for Portnow's resignation. A growing number of female figures in the industry have written publicly on their opinions of his remark. One being Pharrell Williams’ manager, Caron Veazey, who wrote an open letter addressing the Grammys' inequality issue.
This year's Grammys have already made headlines as artists wore white roses to support the Time's Up #MeToo campaign. The goal being to bring attention to sexual harassment and stand up against the inequality that women face.
Bruno Mars was the evenings biggest winner, bagging a total of six awards, including Album of the Year. Jay-Z was the overall most nominated artist, yet went home empty handed.
SZA was the most nominated female artist, but also went home without a win.
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