The Recording Academy’s MusiCares Foundation is on a mission to help artists, crews, and all people in the music industry that suffered due to COVID-19. 

The “Music on a Mission” fundraising concert normally costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but without a live audience, they lowered the cost to 25 dollars and made it virtual. 

There were only five acts — Jhenè Aiko, John Legend, HAIM, H.E.R. and BTS — who recorded new performances for the virtual concert. 

Jhenè Aiko and John Legend both performed more intimate versions of their songs.  “Love” by Aiko was accompanied on by a conga and acoustic guitar while Legend sang alone at his piano.

The sister trio, HAIM, performed “Don’t Wanna” with a full band. They also performed on the Grammys two days later and were nominated for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance.

H.E.R. sang her song “Fight for You” from the movie “Judas and the Black Messiah.” She was nominated three times and won Song of the Year and Best R&B Song.

BTS, also recorded a new stage for their song “Dynamite,” which they also performed at the Grammys where they were nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. According to the live chat and Twitter, they brought in the most viewers from their fanbase.

All other performances were recordings from past MusiCares concerts. Viewers saw past stages from Lady Gage, Usher, the Jonas Brothers and many more.  

The MusiCares foundation was made in 1993 in order to be a source of help for financial, medical and personal issues and is available to all people in the music industry.  They offer services for addiction recovery, emergency medical costs and even senior housing. 

The foundation started the annual concert in 2005, and this brought more attention to the cause and allowed them to expand the amount of support they could give to the industry. 

Throughout the virtual event, there were also messages and spotlights on people that MusiCares is supporting.  With music venues closed for over a year, event and touring crews, as well as less well known artists have been suffering through the pandemic.  

According to Grammy.com the foundation has given over $22 million to people “including songwriters, musicians, engineers, producers, bus drivers, crew, guitar techs, label employees, makeup artist, and more.”

MusiCares made it clear that their mission is going to continue to provide support to those in the music industry who are suffering through the pandemic.