This past Monday (March 2), the Executive Committee of the Recording Academy released a statement revealing that they were firing their CEO/President, Deborah Dugan. Prior to her expulsion from her position, Dugan was accused of extorting the Academy of $22 million. However, just days prior to the 2020 Grammy Awards, she was placed on administrative leave by the Academy after accusing the collective of being a “boys club,” filing a sexual harassment complaint, and revealing that the Academy rigged the voting process for their own benefit.     Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

In April 2019, Deborah Dugan made history becoming the Grammy Awards’ first-ever woman CEO. Yet her tenure as President of the Recording Academy was short-lived due to her disputes with multiple members across the committee. According to Rolling Stone, the Board of Trustees voted for her termination and justified that her firing claiming that after “exhaustive and costly” investigations in relation to Ms. Dugan were unworthy of recognition. 

The Recording Academy also stated that the investigations of her sexual harassment and collusion claims were conducted by a contingent of individuals who had no relationship with their organization. The Academy claims that her firing was warranted also due to Dugan’s “consistent management deficiencies and failures, and other factors.” 

In her defense, Deborah Dugan and her legal team released a public statement to Rolling Stone, stating:

“I was recruited and hired by the Recording Academy to make positive change; unfortunately, I was not able to do that as its CEO. While I am disappointed by this latest development, I am not surprised given the Academy’s pattern of dealing with whistleblowers. Is anyone surprised that its purported investigations did not include interviewing me or addressing the greater claims of conflicts of interest and voting irregularities? So, instead of trying to reform the corrupt institution from within, I will continue to work to hold accountable those who continue to self-deal, taint the Grammy voting process and discriminate against women and people of color. Artists deserve better. To me, this is the real meaning of ‘stepping up.'”

 Dugan’s legal council also chastised the Recording Academy’s decision to leak her firing to the public, adding:

“The Academy’s decision to terminate Ms. Dugan and immediately leak that information to the press further demonstrates that it will stop at nothing to protect and maintain a culture of misogyny, discrimination, sexual harassment, corruption and conflicts of interest. The decision is despicable and, in due course, the Academy, its leadership and its attorneys will be held accountable under the law.”

While the 2020 Grammys provided an entertaining musical display, the celebration drew in low ratings drew in low ratings with just 18.7 million viewers from the ages 18-47. While it looks like Deborah Dugan’s firing might be shady, hopefully, the Recording Academy can get their organization in good and fair standing in the future. 

Check out Tyler, The Creator‘s 62nd annual Grammy Awards performance in the video provided below. 

The National Academy of Recording Arts' first-ever, woman CEO, Deborah Dugan, was placed on academic leave, ten days prior to the 2020 Grammy Awards ceremony. According to Good Morning America, Dugan was placed on the leave of absence just three weeks after filing of a human resources complaint against the Academy.   

The detailed reports of the EEO complaint were revealed this past Tuesday (Jan. 21). According to the documents, Dugan brings up allegations of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, voter manipulation, and more stating the Grammy's voting process is an "illustrative of the boys' club mentality that exists at the Academy and amongst its Board members."

Although the Grammys are set to take place this weekend, it appears as though there are some internal issues the Recording Academy is dealing with. Deborah Dugan, the ousted Grammy chief, has been at the center of controversy ever since allegations were made that she created a “toxic and intolerable” working environment which was also described as “abusive and bullying.”

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Following the complaint, Dugan was put on leave due to a “formal allegation of misconduct [was made against her] by a senior female [staff] member.” But she filed her own complaint to the head of HR alleging “something was seriously amiss at the Academy” while accusing them of misconduct including voting practices, conflicts of interest, and financial mismanagement. 

But perhaps the allegations she made aren’t as serious as she made them out to be. According to reports from Billboard and Variety, on Jan. 10th, less than a week before she was placed on leave, she demanded $22M from the Academy to withdraw her complaints and quietly step down from her position. 

“Ms. Dugan’s attorney then informed the executive committee that if Ms. Dugan was paid millions of dollars, she would ‘withdraw’ her allegations and resign,” the Academy’s interim CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in an e-mail memo. “I’m deeply disturbed and saddened by the ‘leaks’ and misinformation, which are fueling a press campaign designed to create leverage against the Academy for personal gain.”

Since their inception, award shows have always taken a few hits over their nominations. People criticize decision-makers for excluding artists and creators, accusing them of stifling growth and “white-washing” the ceremonies, and rap icon Chuck D is speaking out against his recent experiences with the Grammys.

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The 62nd annual Grammy Awards are set to take place in Los Angeles at the Staple’s Center on January 26, and during the ceremony, Public Enemy is all set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The history between Hip Hop/Rap and the Grammys is a sordid tale, as the genre was initially excluded from airing live on television. Now, Grammy shows are overrun with its influence.

In a lengthy letter he shared on Instagram, Chuck D aired out his grievances with the Grammys after it was announced yesterday that they’ve fired their new president, Deborah Dugan. She reportedly only held the position for five months, and while there are rumors that she received the boot due to an “allegation of misconduct by a senior female member,” some believe that her quest for change behind-the-scenes proved too much for the status quo. In other words, she rocked the boat and got kicked to the curb.

Chuck D writes:

“Figures… I salute Deborah Dugan for her truth and courage to try and effect change. As always, a bunch of ignorant, testosterone-fueled, usually old white men stop progress and screw it up. Same old bullsh*t. They want to keep it status quo and make sure things like Hip Hop stay the poster child of their f*ckery.

In 1989 we protested the Grammys because they refused to acknowledge a new art form called Hip Hop/Rap. I responded with the lyric, “Who gives a f*ck about a goddamn Grammy.” We fought to be recognized and for things to change. We kicked that door in for others to come through.
After 35 years in this industry, folks should know that I always defer any individual accomplishment, always giving salutes to those before me and trying to open the door for those after me. In agreeing to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award when Deborah called me was no different.
We discussed these issues and what needed to change. Hip Hop can’t be judged by a bunch of old corporate guards who rewrite history to serve their corporate bottom line.

The Public Enemy icon added that he could tell Dugan “was having her own struggles with an academy that thinks Public Enemy ended in 1992 yet want to give us a lifetime achievement award without acknowledging a lifetime of work.” Chuck D expressed how difficult it was to work with the Grammys during this time, and offered his suggestions as to why they were giving him the runaround while also attempting to salute Public Enemy’s accomplishments. Read his letter in full below.