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The Black Music Action Coalition’s Grammy Week parties are always stylish events for a good cause, bringing out major stars and up-and-coming artists and many of the top executives in the music business. Wednesday night’s event at Sun Rose in Hollywood.
The evening, honoring the influence of hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on contemporary music, was hosted by the pair in associated with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Victoria Monet, and also featured the presentation of the first-ever BMAC Music Maker Impact Award to Culture Collective founder Jonathan Azu, recognizing his leadership and commitment to advancing long-term music careers.
The ace house band, led by Adam Blackstone, set the soundtrack for the evening, and a highlight was multiple Grammy winner Jon Batiste sitting in with some dazzling jazzy piano soloing.
However, a highlight was a measured but provocative speech from Monet about mentorship, nepotism and gatekeeping in the music industry. It follows below in full.
“Good evening. It is such an honor to be in a room with people who believe in the power of music, not just as entertainment, but as a force of connection, healing, culture, and opportunity.
As a musician, I’ve learned that talent alone is not what carries you through the music industry. Talent is everywhere. What truly makes a difference is access, and more specifically, mentorship. Having that someone who sees you, who believes in you, who’s willing to share not just their wisdom, but their pathways to success.
But I also want to talk about two other layers of this industry. Those two things are gatekeeping and nepotism. So let me define both clearly. Gatekeeping is when individuals or groups control access to opportunities, information, or resources, deciding who gets in, who gets heard, and who gets supported.
Nepotism is a practice of favoring relatives or close personal connections, especially in hiring, promotions, or opportunities, and sometimes regardless of merit. The truth is, the music industry exercises both.
But I feel like instead of asking, how do we eliminate gatekeeping and nepotism, because realistically power structures will always exist, I would want to ask, how do we use them responsibly?
Gatekeeping is not necessarily negative. Nepotism is not inherently negative either. It depends on who and how they are used. They become harmful when they are exercised selfishly or to preserve comfort instead of cultivating excellence.
Put yourself in positions of influence, creative, financial, cultural, not just to advance your own career, but to become a bridge for others. Be discerning, yes, have standards, absolutely. But when you see someone who is talented, aligned, hardworking, and deserving, open the door.
I want to encourage everyone in this room to do something that we all have the power to do, and that is to use our access intentionally. Be the person who says, “I’ll make the introduction, I’ll pass your name, I’ll advocate for you when you’re not in the room, I’ll give you a shot because I recognize your potential and your hard work.”
The goal is ethical gatekeeping and purpose-driven nepotism. That is mentorship in action, and BMAC is a perfect conduit to exercise this type of Black excellence.
Because one of the most powerful things we can do in this industry is to remember that we didn’t get here alone. Someone answered a call, someone took a meeting, someone shared information that they didn’t have to share anymore. And the legacy we leave will not be defined solely on our accolades, our streams, or our credits, but by who we helped rise alongside us.
Let the frequency of music resonate. My hope is that we don’t just chase success, but we circulate it.
I also want to take this time to acknowledge a duo that proves this concept seamlessly, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, whose legacy goes far beyond iconic records. Their commitment to excellence, integrity, and lifting others as they climb sets the standard for what true leadership in music looks like. Welcome to the stage, Jimmy Jam.
English (US) ·