RECORDING ACADEMY ADDS FIVE NEW GRAMMY CATEGORIES, UPDATES RULES FOR 2026 AWARDS. (PHOTO).

 Recording Academy adds five new Grammy categories, updates rules for 2026 awards

NEW YORK - The Recording Academy is introducing five new categories and making several rule changes for the 2026 Grammy Awards in an effort to reflect the evolving global music landscape.

Among the new additions is a best Asian pop music performance category, which will honor performances across genres such as K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and other Asian pop styles, with the award going to performers. A new best traditional pop vocal performance category will recognize artists whose work does not fit within modern pop styles. A best Latin song category will spotlight songwriters for Spanish-language Latin recordings.

Changes are also coming to existing categories in R&B and folk music. The academy is adding a best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance category alongside a revised best R&B solo performance award. In folk, the best folk album category will be split into best contemporary folk album and best traditional folk album, mirroring similar changes recently made in country music categories.

The academy is also adjusting eligibility rules for the best new artist category, allowing artists to enter up to four times instead of three, reflecting how longer career build-ups have become more common in today’s music industry. A screening committee will continue to assess whether an artist has already achieved major industry impact before the eligibility year, and artists who have previously received a Grammy nomination will remain ineligible for the category.

Additionally, certain qualified members will now be allowed to vote in more categories, broadening participation in the voting process.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said the updates reflect the continued growth and diversity of the music industry, noting that the changes are designed to better represent the range of genres and creators shaping modern music.

NEW YORK - The Recording Academy is introducing five new categories and making several rule changes for the 2026 Grammy Awards in an effort to reflect the evolving global music landscape.

Among the new additions is a best Asian pop music performance category, which will honor performances across genres such as K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and other Asian pop styles, with the award going to performers. A new best traditional pop vocal performance category will recognize artists whose work does not fit within modern pop styles. A best Latin song category will spotlight songwriters for Spanish-language Latin recordings.

Changes are also coming to existing categories in R&B and folk music. The academy is adding a best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance category alongside a revised best R&B solo performance award. In folk, the best folk album category will be split into best contemporary folk album and best traditional folk album, mirroring similar changes recently made in country music categories.

The academy is also adjusting eligibility rules for the best new artist category, allowing artists to enter up to four times instead of three, reflecting how longer career build-ups have become more common in today’s music industry. A screening committee will continue to assess whether an artist has already achieved major industry impact before the eligibility year, and artists who have previously received a Grammy nomination will remain ineligible for the category.

Additionally, certain qualified members will now be allowed to vote in more categories, broadening participation in the voting process.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said the updates reflect the continued growth and diversity of the music industry, noting that the changes are designed to better represent the range of genres and creators shaping modern music.