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Grammys Introduce Best Album Cover Award for 2026

10/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Recording Academy will create a standalone Best Album Cover award at the 2026 Grammys, first since 1973.
Sabrina Carpenter's Man’s Best Friend cover sparked controversy, prompting an alternate release.
Contenders include Perfume Genius with Glory and Lady Gaga with Mayhem, as the category broadens.
Traditional pop vocal is competitive after Tony Bennett's death, with Laufey and Barbra Streisand contending.

History

Historical Context

The Grammy Awards introduced the Best Album Cover category in 1973, emphasizing the significance of visual art in music. This move followed the success of artists like Stevie Wonder, whose album "Talking Book" won multiple Grammys in 1974. The revival of this award today reflects ongoing discussions about artistic expression, as seen in recent controversies surrounding album covers, including Sabrina Carpenter's.

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Story summary

The Recording Academy will create a standalone Best Album Cover award at the 2026 Grammys, first since 1973.
Sabrina Carpenter's Man’s Best Friend cover sparked controversy, prompting an alternate release.
Contenders include Perfume Genius with Glory and Lady Gaga with Mayhem, as the category broadens.
Traditional pop vocal is competitive after Tony Bennett's death, with Laufey and Barbra Streisand contending.

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