Katy Perry and Cardi B lead stars signing up to Grammys diversity pledge

In this file photo taken on October 9, 2018, US rapper Cardi B arrives at the 2018 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. [File Photo: vcg.com]

Katy Perry, Cardi B, and Justin Bieber have pledged to hire more female producers as part of the Recording Academy's new diversity push.

Katy, Cardi, and Justin are joined by many other stars, including Lady Gaga, John Legend, Shawn Mendes, Nicki Minaj, Pink, Post Malone, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, in committing to considering at least two women when hiring producers or sound engineers.

The new initiative from the Academy, who organize America's annual Grammy Awards ceremony, is aimed at increasing the number of female production staff from minuscule levels. According to a 2018 study, only two percent of music producers and three percent of sound engineers or mixers in pop music are women.

In a press release announcing the promise, Katy, who employs a female engineer to run her own studio, said she had been "very fortunate" to work with "powerful female figures" and encouraged others to emulate her.