The Grammy Awards will introduce a dedicated Asian pop category for the first time, as the Recording Academy announced five new award categories and a series of rule changes for the 2026 ceremony.
The new best Asian pop music performance category will cover releases across K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and other Asian pop genres, with the award going to the performer. The addition marks a significant recognition of Asia’s growing influence on the global music industry.
Four other categories were also announced. A best traditional pop vocal performance category will cover music that “cannot properly be intermingled with present forms of pop music.” A best Latin song category will recognise songwriters for work recorded predominantly in Spanish. The R&B field gains a best collaboration or duo/group performance award alongside a reimagined best R&B solo performance category. Folk music also sees a split, with best folk album becoming best contemporary folk album and a new best traditional folk album category added separately.
Among the rule changes, the academy expanded eligibility for its best new artist category, allowing artists to submit up to four times, up from three, to better reflect how long it can now take for an artist to build mainstream momentum. Artists with a previous Grammy nomination remain ineligible.
“2027 is going to be an amazing year for the Grammy Awards, and one that reflects the extraordinary growth we’re seeing across music,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said.
The changes will take effect for the 68th Grammy Awards.
