The Grammy Awards will introduce five new categories at next year’s ceremony, the Recording Academy announced Tuesday, alongside revised rules that could reshape eligibility for the coveted Best New Artist prize.
The 2027 awards will recognise Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best R&B Collaboration Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Latin Song.
The additions were approved following feedback from Recording Academy members and reflect the expanding range of genres and creative roles represented across the global music industry.
The academy also changed its rules for Best New Artist, increasing the number of times an artist can be submitted for consideration from three to four. The move could open the door for emerging performers who had previously exhausted their eligibility before achieving wider recognition.
The Best New Artist category has historically helped launch major careers, with recent winners including Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan and Olivia Dean.
“The changes advanced by our Recording Academy members speak to the breadth of today’s music industry and the many genres, crafts and creators shaping it”, said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.
“We’re excited to see these updates come to life in the year ahead as we celebrate the music people who are driving music forward.”
The Grammys, widely billed as “music’s biggest night”, are scheduled to return to Los Angeles in February 2027. The ceremony will mark the first edition to include the new Asian pop and traditional folk honours, as the academy continues to broaden recognition for music beyond its long-established categories.
— AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
