The Grammy Awards, a longstanding celebration of music achievements presented by the Recording Academy, is updating its award categories and qualifications list.
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The next show, taking place on Feb. 7, 2027, will see five 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.
For the 69th annual Grammys, the following categories have been added:
- Best Asian Pop Music Performance
- Best Latin Song
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance
- Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance
- Best Traditional Folk Album
Additionally, the maximum number of times an artist may be submitted for Best New Artist and Best Album categories has increased from three to four. Furthermore, the "threshold of new recordings required on an eligible album is lowered from 75 percent to 66 percent. To reduce the exclusion of entries that are widely recognized throughout the music industry as new albums."
Given the rise in streaming, the Grammys are now allowing digital-only albums to be eligible for two more categories.
"Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album have been updated to include albums released solely in digital form. Reflecting where music consumption happens today," the Recording Academy wrote.
Songwriters Score Major Win With Grammys Changes
Increased recognition is on the way for songwriters, too.
"Songwriters and Composers will now be recognized in the same way as Producers and Engineers across most genre album categories -- creating equity across crafts," the Grammys announced on Instagram.
Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. spoke extensively about the changes and updates in a Q&A posted on the the awards' website.
"We've heard from the music community that the way artists are being developed is changing. And the time it's taking to find success or recognition can take longer than it once did. Artists are often releasing more music before they actually break through the consciousness of consumers or of our voters. And that evolution directly impacts this Category," he said.
