The Grammy Awards unveil two fresh award categories, effective from 2026.
The grammy gigs next year at the Crypto.com Arena, LA, are set to be a game-changer with a couple of new categories hitting the scene! The Recording Academy dropped the bomb via their website. From artistry to tradition, these fresh categories will be shinin' bright, reflecting the evolving tides in the music industry.
Here's the skinny – say hello to the Best Album Cover category, honoring the visual punch that album covers deliver, especially in the digital realm. The Recording Academy points out the cover's impact on social media, and we're here for it.
In the realm of country music, Best Traditional Country Album has made its debut, recognizing the genre’s resurgence over the last decade. Toot-toot for traditional country artists, as the old "Best Country Album" label has been rebranded as "Best Contemporary Country Album".
A bit of irony in the air, as new Best Album Cover category news dropped just a day after Sabrina Carpenter, that talented sensation, unveiled her new project's cover. Her provocative and symbolic "Man's Best Friend" cover has been causing a ruckus on socials, potentially setting the stage for nominations in this brand-new category from 2026 onwards.
That's not all! The Recording Academy dished out some other rule changes for the Grammy Awards regulations. The "Best New Artist" category now welcomes talented artists whose contribution to nominated albums doesn't exceed 20%. Talk about fair game!
The merger between the "Best Recording Package" and "Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package" categories is now "Best Recording Package". Make it one and make it fun!
Albums sold directly via artists' or labels' websites are now eligible for "Best Recording Package", "Best Album Notes", and "Best Historical Album" categories, better reflecting the current music marketing landscape.
Who decides the winners in these categories, you ask? A national committee, that's who! No more regional bias, only nationwide appreciation for the arts.
Lastly, the classical music categories will now include recognizing composers and lyricists (or librettists), just like artists, producers, and engineers who contributed to winning albums.
With nominees announced on November 7, 2025, and the ceremony taking place on February 1, 2026, get ready for a melodious ride on the Grammy train! These changes promise diversity in recognition, a nod to various aspects of music production, and a sigh of relief for artists and creators. Let's try to keep up with the rhythm and celebrate the evolution of music!
- The "Best Album Cover" category, which aims to honor the visual impact of album covers, particularly in the digital realm, will be a new addition to the Grammy Awards, reflecting the significance of this aspect in the music industry.
- In the country music sphere, the recipient of the "Best Traditional Country Album" award will now be recognized, highlighting the genre's reemergence over the last decade, while the previous "Best Country Album" label has been rebranded as "Best Contemporary Country Album".
