RIAA & Spotify Present Diplo During Musicians On Call Benefit Concert

WASHINGTON, DC (March 2, 2023) – Last night, the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) and Spotify’s long-running benefit returned to the legendary 9:30 Club to celebrate the healing power of music in the heart of our nation’s capital during an annual concert for Musicians On Call (MOC), an organization that delivers live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments. Returning after a three-year absence due to the COVID pandemic, the event brought hundreds from the music community, industry leaders and policymakers together to support MOC’s vital work. iHeartRadio’s Toby Knapp (DC’s 97.1 WASH-FM’s Toby+Chilli Mornings), Tamo Sein (DC101) and Mike Klein (Z1043/HOT995 Baltimore & New York’s Z100) welcomed the crowd leading up to the high-intensity set from multi-Platinum certified, award-winning artist, producer and DJ Diplo.

“Once again partnering with RIAA and Spotify to celebrate our mission and the power of music is something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and we’re excited to have Diplo join us for this very special night,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin, who expressed gratitude for the shared belief that all patients, families and caregivers should have access to live music’s ability to restore normalcy, bring joy and produce medical benefits.

The power of live music in healthcare environments is undeniable. It has the ability to provide calming relief in otherwise highly stressful situations, and can physically improve a patient's experience. While Musicians On Call's Bedside program has been on hold due to the pandemic, we've been able to continue delivering these important moments of healing to patients in the DC area and to over 275,000 people around the country through our Virtual program. Pete Griffin, President and CEO of Musicians On Call

Diplo acknowledged that sentiment throughout the night with a palpable energy radiating across the packed venue as a haze of laser lights fueled track after track of hits.

RIAA CEO/Chairman & Musicians On Call Board Chairman Emeritus Mitch Glazier returned to the stage with RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne for a plaque presentation commemorating Diplo’s 30 certified titles across albums and songs – 1 Diamond, 5 multi-Platinum, 5 Platinum, 18 Gold and a 12x Platino. He said, “Diplo has connected with millions throughout his career, and this performance was a bold reminder to us all – nothing moves us like music! We are grateful to Diplo, Columbia Records and each of you who experienced this moment alongside us and believe in Musicians On Call’s mission. This return to the 9:30 Club was a long time in the making, and it was incredible to come together as a united community to support MOC while celebrating the power of music.”

We all know a song can perfectly capture a moment, and your favorite artists have an incomparable way of bringing joy even in the toughest moments. Music has the power to heal, and that’s why Spotify is proud to partner with RIAA to support Musicians On Call and the volunteers who have performed for more than one million people in healthcare facilities nationwide. April Boyd, Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Spotify

Other notable supporters this year include Alibaba Group, Comcast NBCUniversal, National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), Oracle, RELX and SoundExchange.