The Recording Academy has unveiled a major overhaul for the 69th Grammy Awards, introducing five new categories and sweeping rule changes aimed at reflecting the evolving music industry.
The new categories, announced on June 16, 2026, will take effect for the 2027 ceremony. The most notable addition is Best Asian Pop Music Performance, which will recognise releases across K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and other Asian markets. Other new categories include Best Latin Song for songwriters of predominantly Spanish-language tracks, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for classic pop styles, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, and Best Traditional Folk Album, with the existing Best Folk Album renamed Best Contemporary Folk Album.
The Academy also revised several eligibility rules. Artists can now be submitted for Best New Artist up to four times, an increase from the previous three submissions, to better reflect the slower development cycles of modern artists. Album of the Year eligibility now requires 66% new recordings (down from 75%) to accommodate multi-phase digital release schedules. Additionally, songwriters of new material on winning albums will now receive Grammy statuettes.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. called 2027 “an amazing year for the Grammy Awards,” adding that the changes “speak to the breadth of today’s music industry”.
A new “Ballot Plus” voting option will allow select members with verified credentials to vote in up to 15 categories. The 69th Grammy Awards will air live on February 7, 2027, on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu.
