Grammys Introduce Five Additional Categories and Update Rules
The Recording Academy announced changes to the 2027 Grammy Awards, adding five new categories and updating eligibility rules. The new awards include Best Asian Pop Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Latin Song. The Asian pop award will recognize artistic excellence in performances from K‑pop, J‑pop, and C‑pop that use Asian languages. The Latin song category honors songwriters of predominantly Spanish‑language recordings.
Changes to existing categories involve renaming Best R&B Performance to Best R&B Solo Performance and redefining Best Folk Album as Best Contemporary Folk Album to create a distinct Traditional Folk Album category.
Eligibility adjustments allow a “Best New Artist” nominee up to four submissions, and the required percentage of new recordings for album eligibility drops from 75 % to 66 %. Songwriters and composers will also receive awards and certificates, and a new “Ballot Plus” option lets qualified voting members cast ballots in up to 15 categories. Internet‑only releases can now qualify for Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album with proper supporting materials.
The 69th Grammy Ceremony will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 7, 2027.