Neil Portnow, NARAS President, Grammys 2012: Academy King Gives Same Speech Every Year

Posted on Feb 13th 2012 10:11AM by Cameron Matthews
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In the past, NARAS president Neil Portnow has been Music's Biggest Night's biggest buzzkill. Each year, the Academy's king issues a decree that reminds us all of one thing: Stop stealing music. And the 54th Annual Grammy Awards were no different.

"We take care of our musicians and our creative community in their times of need," Portnow began, referring to charity Music Cares, while shimmering violins danced and swayed in the background.

"Let's work together, creators, fans and the tech community, to ensure that the music keeps playing," Portnow said, despite the recently proposed anti-piracy bills SOPA and PIPA being batted down by the Internet's biggest influencers. For many viewers, the Academy president's speech signals an extended commercial, and for others ... a bathroom break.

Watch Neil Portnow give the same speech at every Grammys event below.

Grammys: Academy Pres Gives Same Speech