Grammy adds new categories to its awards line-up
Los Angeles, June 16
The Grammy Awards have added 5 new categories after deliberation with its members. The organising committee updates rules and adds to their categories in response to proposals from the members every year.
The next show, taking place on February 7, 2027, will see 5 new categories, including in the Latin, Asian Pop and R&B genres, and several key updates, including the Best New Artist and Best album categories, reports 'Variety'.
The latter two moves are the most far-reaching, as they see the maximum number of times an artist may be submitted increased from three to four; and the "threshold of new recordings required on an eligible album is lowered from 75% to 66% to reduce the exclusion of entries that are widely recognized throughout the music industry as new albums".
As per 'Variety', Best new artiste is traditionally the most controversial award, inevitably, as the concept of who considers the artist to be new is always a judgement call, and this year will see multiple artists getting an unexpected fourth shot at being nominated, including Ella Langley, who was reportedly submitted in three past years, but whose Hot 100 No. 1 single "Choosin' Texas" and the album "Dandelion" have led her star to rise dramatically.
Likewise, as the concept of what constitutes a new album has changed, some that featured, say, four new songs but included remixes or live versions of previously released songs inspired the 75% threshold, but apparently that was determined to be excessively high.
In a related move that extends recognition for songwriters, contributors to winning albums in most genre album categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and Achievement Certificates, which producers and engineers already receive.
Songwriters and Composers of new material on the winning albums in most genre album Categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and Achievement Certificates in parity with the recognition currently afforded to Producers and Engineers in those categories.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Lowering the threshold from 75% to 66% for new albums makes sense. Music production has changed so much - remixes and live versions are part of the creative process now.
Great that songwriters are finally getting statuettes too! They've been the unsung heroes for too long. But I worry about the Best New Artist category - giving fourth chances might water down the meaning of "new". Just my two paisa.
As someone who follows the Grammys closely, I appreciate these updates. The Latin and R&B additions are long overdue. But I'm curious - will Asian Pop include Indian film music? That would be a game changer for Bollywood artists on the global stage. 🤔
Respectfully, I think the Grammys are still too US-centric. Adding Asian Pop is good, but where's the African category? And why no world music expansion? Baby steps, I guess. Still, any recognition for diversity is welcome. 👏
Finally some common sense! The old rules were unfairly excluding many deserving artists. Lowering the album threshold and giving songwriters their due credit - this is the kind of progress we need. Now if only other award shows would follow suit. 💪
T Tanvi S < We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.