The Recording Academy has awarded thousands of musicians over the past few decades for their talent and exceptional contribution to the music industry. Today, the coveted award-giving body is expanding to recognize more artists in its future shows.
According to Paper Magazine, the 65th Grammy Awards, which will be held next year, would feature new categories.
The new set of awards are as follows:
- Best Alternative Music Performance
- Best Spoken Poetry Word Album
- Best Americana Music Performance
- Best Score Soundtrack for Videogames and other Interactive Media
- Best Song for Social Change
Per the outlet, the recognition for social change is a "Special Merit Award," meaning songs nominated in the category should feature lyrical content that pertains to a current social issue.
The song should also "promotes understanding, peacebuilding and empathy."
Another award that many have been anticipating is Songwriter of the Year.
According to the New York Times, the new award "recognizes the written excellence, profession and art of songwriting" in the field of non-classical compositions.
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Although Song of the Year has been raved about through the decades or is considered to be one of the most notable prizes, songwriters have been asking the Recording Academy for recognition.
Initially, what the award-giving body did was add another ballot for Album of the Year in 2018, which led songwriters who contributed 33% to a record would be listed.
The requirement was scrapped during the 64th annual ceremony, which took place earlier this year in Las Vegas, credited songwriters will now have the chance to be nominated individually.
Recording Academy Chief Executive Harvey Mason Jr. issued a statement, explaining that "The intent with this new category is to recognize the professional songwriters who write songs for other artists to make a living."
He added that the dedicated award highlights the importance of songwriting as it is a big contribution to the musical process of a singer or band.
As of this writing, there are still no possible contenders for the new awards mentioned above
Per France 24, the Recording Academy has been switching things up over the past years in an attempt to quell criticisms that minor and major awards aren't "inclusive."
In 2020, they made a big move including the ever-controversial change from "Urban Contemporary" to "Progressive R&B."
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