BTS, Raye, Ella Langley, Flo, and others have reason to celebrate this morning, as the Recording Academy announced several rule changes and the addition of five new Grammy categories for the 2027 ceremony.
The changes include the addition of a K-Pop category, another for R&B groups, and relaxed rules for Best New Artist, which mean that artists such as Langley, who previously wouldn’t have been eligible, are now once again able to compete for that award.
Here’s a look at the big news that the Academy shared today via press release, as well as our input on what it all means for next year’s ceremony.
RELATED: See our list of 2027 Grammy predictions!
New Grammy Categories for 2027 and Our Analysis
Here are the five new awards set for inclusion in 2027. For each, we’ve listed the Recording Academy’s official description, and our analysis of what that means for major artists.
Best Asian Pop Music Performance
“This Category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).”
Our analysis: Finally, BTS have their own Grammy category! We’ve been saying that K-Pop doesn’t need its own award, since that style of music can fit under the basic Pop umbrella. But at least the Academy decided to widen the scope and not limit it to just K-Pop. As K-Pop and J-Pop continue to grow worldwide, the category makes some sense. And BTS aren’t locks to win — they’ll have some tough competition.
Update, July 29: BTS announced they will not be submitting for the 2027 Grammys, which means they will not be winning anything.
Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance
“This Category recognizes excellence in contemporary R&B performances for works by established duos or groups, as well as collaborative works between solo artists, duos and groups. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).”
Our analysis: Previously, there was just one award for Best R&B Performance. That will now be split into Solo and Group/Collaboration awards. The thing is, the era of R&B vocal groups is over. This isn’t the ’90s, when Boyz II Men, TLC, SWV, Jodeci, Shai, and others dominated the charts. There are so few successful R&B groups anymore. In Ranker’s list of the top R&B artists today, you have to scroll all the way down to #38 to find a group — the British trio Flo. So this award will likely be dominated by collaborations between solo artists, which makes it less appealing.
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance
“This Category recognizes excellence in singles and tracks that consist of a type and style of song and/or performance that cannot properly be intermingled with present forms of pop music. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).”
Our analysis: The Academy keeps broadening the scope of what is considered “Traditional Pop.” It used to be just crooners like Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Michael Buble. But last year, Elton John & Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Hudson all got nominated. And a lot of observers think Raye will be slotted in the Traditional Pop field this year. This category gives those artists a chance to win a singles award in addition to the album award. Raye’s “Where is My Husband” becomes the early favorite.
Best Traditional Folk Album
“This Category recognizes excellence in albums of traditional folk recordings. Awards are presented to artist(s), producer(s), engineer(s)/mixer(s), and songwriter(s) of new songs, if other than artist(s), of greater than 50% playing time on the album.”
Our analysis: This category previously existed until 2012, when it was merged with Best Contemporary Folk Album, since it was difficult to tell what qualified as traditional and what qualified as contemporary. Now, for no apparent reason, they’re being split again. This seems unnecessary, given that there’s also a Best Americana Album category. It’s already hard enough to distinguish folk from Americana!
Best Latin Song
“This Category recognizes the achievement of songwriters for newly written Latin songs predominantly in the Spanish language (at least 51% of the lyrics). Awards are presented to the songwriter(s) of new material.”
Our analysis: This is a songwriter’s award for Latin Pop songs. Yet another opportunity for Bad Bunny, Rosalia, Karol G, and major Spanish-language stars to score another trophy. Recognizing songwriters is never a bad thing.
New Grammy Rules Changes
In addition to the new categories, there are some rules changes. Most are minor, but there’s one significant change: Artists are now allowed to submit their name for consideration for Best New Artist four times, instead of just three.
The immediate impact of that is that breakout country star Ella Langley is now eligible. She had already submitted three times, and would not have been able to appear in the category in 2027, if not for this rule change.
The other big change? Songwriters will now receive Grammys in most genre album awards, just as producers, engineers, and mixers already do. This drastically expands the number of awards that today’s top songwriters can win. Amy Allen and Max Martin should start clearing a whole lot more shelf space for Grammys.
Despite these changes, there is still no “Best Pop Song” award for songwriters. The Grammys continue to stubbornly resist creating such a category, rationalizing that Song of the Year covers it. But Song of the Year is an all-genre award. There is no reason not to have a specific category for pop music songwriting.
These five new categories bring the total number of Grammy awards back in to triple digits at 101 total categories. That’s way too many — one of the criticisms we leveled against Grammy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. in our report card of his tenure.
The 69th Annual Grammy Awards will air live on ABC for the first time. Airtime is 8 pm ET/PT on February 7, 2027.
Last Updated on July 29, 2026