Grammys to increase nominees in top categories from 5 to 8
Published 7:21 am Saturday, June 30, 2018
NEW YORK — The Grammy Awards are extending the number of nominees in its top categories from five to eight.
The Recording Academy told its members in a letter released Tuesday that the nominee increase “will better reflect the large number of entries in these categories and allow voters greater flexibility when selecting this year’s best recordings.”
Album of the year, song of the year, record of the year and best new artist are the categories that will be affected. The change comes months after the Grammys were criticized for the lack of women nominees at this year’s awards show.
For years, the organization has been called out for the lack of diversity when it comes to winners in the top four categories, where awards tend to go to acts in the pop, rock or country music genres, instead of hip-hop or R&B stars, even in years where Kanye West, Eminem and Mariah Carey were predicted to win.
Another change at the organization is with Neil Portnow, the president and CEO of The Recording Academy, who will step down next year.