Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group have cancelled their Grammy-related events due to the Los Angeles wildfires and are redirecting funds to wildfire relief efforts.
Sony Group Corporation donated $5 million, Universal Music Group cancelled its annual after-Grammy party and Artist Showcase, and Warner Music Group cancelled its pre-Grammy party and donated $1 million through the Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund.
The Recording Academy confirmed on January 13 that the 2025 edition of the show will proceed as planned on February 2 at the Crypto.com arena.
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Sony’s contribution will go towards organisations providing crucial support to first responders, assisting impacted communities in their rebuilding endeavours, and offering essential aid to employees affected by the disaster.
Universal Music Group cancelled its annual after-Grammy party and its annual ‘Artist Showcase,’ traditionally hosted by UMG boss Lucian Grainge.
According to reports, over 50 Universal Music Group employees have lost their homes or been displaced due to the wildfires. That figure was revealed in a recent letter from Lucian Grainge to staff, in which the executive confirmed that he had cancelled his upcoming European business meetings to remain in Los Angeles and coordinate relief efforts.
The Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund announced an initial $1 million donation to the LA fire relief efforts over the weekend. The Fund said it would donate to key organisations supporting the LA community, local first responders, and those in the music industry.
Alongside UMG, Warner, and Sony, other music companies are also rallying in response to the wildfires. Live Nation has announced a benefit concert called FireAid, which will be held on January 30 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angeles. AEG Presents, and the Azoff Family are also involved in putting on the show, for which artists are TBA.
Meanwhile, the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammys, has joined forces with MusiCares to pledge $1 million.
Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation has pledged to donate $2.5 million to help families who lost their homes. A portion of the fund will also go to churches and community centres. Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, is among those who have lost their homes in the wildfires.
Additionally, the Guitar Centre is also stepping in to assist musicians who lost their instruments and equipment in the LA wildfires. In a joint letter to Recording Academy Members, Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Tammy Hurt, Chair of the board of trustees, said: “In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th Grammy Awards telecast on CBS on February 2 will proceed as planned.”
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The NAMM Foundation has committed $50,000 and is accepting additional donations through its website. The fund will provide needs-based assistance to NAMM members, employees of NAMM member companies, music education programs, and music professionals affected by the fires.
Outside the music industry, a number of corporations have also backed disaster relief and recovery efforts. Among these are NBCUniversal parent Comcast, Netflix, and Amazon, each pledging to donate $10 million. Warner Bros. Discovery also vowed to donate $15 million for rebuilding and response efforts.
NBC reports that 88,000 people are still under evacuation orders, with 84,800 under warnings across Los Angeles. Thousands of properties have been damaged or destroyed.
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