Grammy Awards Add Five New Categories, Update Rules Ahead of 2027 Show

June 16, () — The Recording Academy has announced major updates to the Grammy Awards, including five new categories and several rule changes ahead of the 69th Annual ceremony in 2027.

The new categories are Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album, and Best Latin Song.

Best Asian Pop Music Performance will recognize pop music from Asia, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.

Best Latin Song will honour songwriters of new Latin songs mainly written in Spanish.

Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance will recognize R&B songs performed by two or more artists working together.

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance will focus on older-style pop songs that do not fit modern pop music.

Best Traditional Folk Album will recognize albums made in a traditional folk music style.

The Academy also updated existing categories. The R&B category has been split into two, with group and collaboration entries now separated from solo performances.

The folk category has also been divided, with traditional folk now separated from contemporary folk music.

Alongside the new categories, the Recording Academy approved several rule changes.

Artists can now be submitted for Best New Artist up to four times, an increase from the previous limit of three.

The eligibility rule for Album of the Year has also been updated. Albums are now required to have 66 percent new recordings, down from 75 percent.

The Academy said the changes are aimed at reflecting how artists are developed and how music is released in today’s industry.

The 2027 Grammy Awards will air live on February 7, 2027, on ABC, Disney+, and Hulu.