The Recording Academy has decided to expand its horizons by introducing three new categories to its prestigious Grammy Awards. Starting with the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, the addition of these categories showcases the Academy’s commitment to recognizing a diverse array of musical genres and staying in tune with the constantly changing musical landscape.
The first new category will be Best African Music Performance. This category aims to honor recordings that encompass unique local expressions from across the African continent. It will feature a wide variety of musical traditions, including but not limited to Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afterbeats, Alto, Bongo Flava, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, Ethic Jazz, and even more genres.
The next new award is the Best Alternative Jazz Album. This award will recognize artistic excellence in alternative jazz albums by individuals, duos, and groups/ensembles, with or without vocals. Alternative Jazz is defined as a genre-blending, envelope-pushing hybrid that mixes jazz elements with other genres such as R&B, Hip-Hop, Classical, Contemporary Improvisation, Experimental, Pop, Rap, Electronic/Dance music, and/or spoken word.
The third additional category is the Best Pop Dance Recording. This category will honor tracks and singles that feature up-tempo, danceable music following a pop arrangement. Eligible Pop Dance recordings should also showcase strong rhythmic beats, significant electronic-based instruments, and an emphasis on vocal performance, melody and hooks.
Recording Academy CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., expressed his excitement about these developments, stating that the Academy is proud to announce these latest category changes to its awards process. He emphasized that these changes will expose a wider range of music to fans worldwide while also honoring and celebrating the creators and recordings in these categories.
As the Recording Academy continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing musical landscape, the Grammy Awards will remain a vital platform for celebrating the best in music across all genres and styles. With these new categories and changes, the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024 is set to be an exciting and groundbreaking event. Music fans worldwide can look forward to discovering and celebrating even more incredible artists and their work, thanks to the Recording Academy’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and staying in tune with the constantly changing world of music.