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Who is Harvey Mason Jr? Internet slams Recording Academy CEO for spewing 'pro-Israeli propaganda' at 2024 Grammys

The CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., spoke about the Supernova music festival victims as a quintet of artists of Arab, Israeli, and Palestinian ancestry performed together

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Following a series of emotional tributes throughout the 2024 Grammy Awards on February 4, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr took another moment toward the conclusion of the evening to honor the lives lost in the aftermath of the attack on Israel's Supernova Music Festival by Hamas on October 7. However, the industry magnate was quickly called out for allegedly promoting pro-Israeli propaganda on stage. "Music must always be our safe space; when that is violated, it strikes at the very core of who we are," he stated during his speech.

"We felt that at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris. We felt that at the Manchester Arena in England. We felt that at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas. And on October 7, we felt that again when we heard the tragic news from the Supernova Music Festival for Love, that over 360 music fans lost their lives, and another 40 were kidnapped."

On social media platform X, users complained, " If you're going to allow CEO Harvey Mason Jr. to promote 'Israeli' propaganda, you should allow Annie Lennox to spread the voices of Palestinians who are currently suffering in the hands of Israel." Another user chimed in, "Ohhhh, so NOW I understand why Harvey Mason Jr.’s nothingburger of a statement at the #GRAMMYs is pissing people off. Well, at least we got Annie Lennox summoning up the guts to demand a ceasefire (even with the camera cutting away from her so damn fast)."

One user also criticized the Grammys, writing, "To use dua lipa’s name as a part of a “unifying israeli and palestinian artists” segment when the number one song in israel not two months ago was essentially calling for her murder in not-so-coded language… i don’t like that." A fourth user expressed, "Seeing Harvey Mason Jr. (the CEO of the #GRAMMYs ) come out and spew some bullshit about Palestine and Israel being able to come together in harmony is disappointing—he completely swept Palestinian tragedy under the rug. He doesn’t have Annie Lennox’s bravery to call for ceasefire."

While others pointed out, "that’s f****** BOLD to talk about deaths that occurred at concerts, RIGHT AFTER travis scott performs." Another angry viewer asked, "Who is this bold Zionist prick." 

One user also wrote, "This f****** “Arabs & Israelis playing music together” speech. B**** f*** you. Palestinian people are DYING." "not this man feeding the audience isnotreal propaganda," fumed another.

Harvey Mason Jr brings Palestinian, Israeli, and Arab musicians for Grammys 2024 speech

During his remarks, Harvey emphasized the unification of music as an art form and advocated for an end to violence at music festivals. "Let us all agree that music must remain the common ground upon which we all stand together in peace and harmony," he went on to say.

"Because music has always been one of humanity’s great connectors. Think about it: Every song that we’re honoring or hearing tonight moved someone, no matter where they were from or what they believed. It connected them to others who were moved in the same way."

Harvey then used the string quartet performing under him as an example. "As individuals, they sound really good, but together, they achieve something beautiful they could never do apart," he went on to say. “These musicians of Palestinian, Israeli, and Arab descent are here playing together. Now is the time for us, for humanity, to play together and to come together with empathy and with love.”

Internet fumes as Annie Lennox's call for cease-fire in Gaza at Grammys 2024 was cut short

In the first significant awards season statement regarding the war in Gaza and Israel, singer Annie Lennox concluded her tribute performance of Sinead O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2 U' by raising her fist and proclaiming, "Artists for cease-fire. Peace in the world."

On social media platform X, angry fans surely noted, "cut Annie Lennox’s speech calling for ceasefire but allow CEO Harvey Mason Jr. to use Manchester attack to promote Israeli propaganda. Truly disgusting." Another person chimed in, "it's almost disgusting how annie lennox's call for a ceasefire was later followed up with some half assed, long winded speech in favor of israel. it's always going to be free palestine ."

One user noted, "the power of a platform must be studied bc taylor swift just announced a new album on live television and ppl r sitting in 45 minute virtual queues to preorder it. not 10 minutes later, annie lennox calls for a ceasefire on that same show and they cut that performance QUICK." "doing all this israeli propaganda right after annie lennox called for a ceasefire publicly like this is so disgusting," wrote another.

Arrivals to Grammys 2024 Carpet stalled because of Pro-Palestine protest

The red carpet outside the Grammy Awards was filled with protesters calling for an end to Israel's ongoing bombing of Gaza in downtown Los Angeles outside the Crypto.com Arena. Before Annie's remark, award shows such as the Golden Globes and Emmys had made few statements on the war, which began following Hamas' October 7 strike.

Footage from the demonstration was published on social media Sunday evening, with the hashtag #ShutItDown4Palestine. According to event organizers, the group was preventing others from entering the venue. "Right now: Hundreds in LA rally and prepare to march outside the Grammy Awards for Palestine. A little rain won’t deter the movement!," the Party for Socialism and Liberation stated in a social media post, sharing a video from the event.

Some celebrities, like 'Succession's J. Smith-Cameron, were seen wearing yellow ribbons to raise awareness for the captives held in Gaza.

At the Grammys, Boygenius, who received accolades before the televised program, was seen wearing pins with an emblem for “Artists for a Ceasefire.” On the red carpet, Montana Tucker, a social media sensation and singer-songwriter whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors wore a large fabric yellow ribbon with the words "Bring Them Home" on the front.