Grammy Awards Unveil Five New Categories and Major Rule Changes for 2027

The Recording Academy announced five new awards for the 69th ceremony on Feb. 7, 2027, raising the total number of Grammy trophies to 100. The additions 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. Parallel rule updates include: Best New Artist submissions increased from three to four; the album-eligibility threshold lowered from 75 % to 66 % new recordings; internet-only releases now qualify for Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album; songwriters and composers on winning albums receive statuettes and achievement certificates; and the new “Ballot Plus” option lets verified voting members cast votes in up to 15 peer-related categories.

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Grammy categories peaked at 110 in 2008-2009, were cut to 78 in 2012, and have gradually risen again, reaching three-digit totals before this year’s expansion to 100. The Academy’s annual member-driven review process frames each adjustment as a response to shifting market dynamics and genre growth.

Variety Magazine

The changes are driven by the Recording Academy, led by CEO Harvey Mason Jr. The Academy’s voting body—comprising artists, producers, engineers, songwriters, and other industry professionals—will implement the Ballot Plus system after credit verification.

Deadline Hollywood

The new Asian-pop category formally acknowledges K-pop, J-pop and C-pop’s global influence, while the Best Latin Song award spotlights Spanish-language songwriting. Expanding R&B and folk recognitions diversifies the field beyond contemporary pop. Extending Best New Artist eligibility to four submissions reflects longer development cycles, giving breakout acts such as Ella Langley and Megan Moroney another chance at nomination. Recognizing songwriters and composers with statuettes aligns their credit with that of producers and engineers.

Complex

The Academy stated the updates “reflect the increasingly non-traditional paths artists take toward mainstream recognition” and that “the changes advanced by our Recording Academy members speak to the breadth of today’s music industry and the many genres, crafts and creators shaping it.” Mason added that the longer timeline for artist development “can take longer than it once did,” prompting the Best New Artist rule revision.

The Independent

Some industry observers noted that splitting the folk field—creating a Best Traditional Folk Album and renaming the existing Best Folk Album to Best Contemporary Folk Album—mirrored a controversial country-field change in 2026, sparking debate over genre categorization and award relevance.

Complex

A minority of sources list the ceremony date as Feb. 7, 2007, contradicting the majority that correctly cite Feb. 7, 2027. No additional discrepancies were identified regarding the new categories or rule adjustments.

Billboard

• “Of the expansion of the best new artist eligibility period, he said, “We’ve heard from the music community that the way artists are being developed is changing, and the time it’s taking to find success or recognition can take longer than it once did.” — Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy

Variety Magazine

• “The changes advanced by our Recording Academy members speak to the breadth of today’s music industry and the many genres, crafts and creators shaping it.” — Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy

The Independent

• “, CEO of the Recording Academy, expressed optimism about the changes, stating, "2027 is going to be an amazing year for the Grammy Awards, and one that reflects the extraordinary growth we’re seeing across music.” — Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy

The Independent

• “more opportunities to celebrate different and new genres.” — Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy

Complex

• “VOTING PROCESS UPDATES Ballot Plus Ballot Plus is an opt-in alternative to the 10/3 voting structure that allows Voting Members with expertise across multiple genres to vote in up to 15 peer-related Categories, regardless of Field, based on their verified professional credits and contributions.” — Recording Academy statement

Variety Magazine

• “In addition, internet-only releases will now be eligible for consideration in the best album notes and best historical album categories if supporting materials are included with the commercial download.” — Recording Academy statement

Grammys add 5 new categories, including 1st Asian pop award