LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Recording Academy has announced the addition of three new categories to the Grammys in 2024. These include best pop dance recording, best African music performance, and best alternative jazz album.
In addition, two existing categories—producer of the year, non-classical, and songwriter of the year, non-classical—have been moved to the general field, allowing all Grammy voters to participate in selecting the winners. The changes to these categories reflect an evolving music industry, where songwriters and producers have become increasingly celebrated for their contributions.
The new best African music performance category will highlight a variety of musical traditions, including genres like Afrobeat, Afro Pop, Amapiano, and Ethio Jazz. This category offers a platform for artists who were previously competing in the best global music performance category, first introduced in 2022 as part of the global music field.
The best pop dance recording category focuses on up-tempo, danceable music with strong rhythmic beats and significant electronic-based instruments. It excludes dance remixes.
Finally, the best alternative jazz album category will spotlight alternative jazz albums that blend genres such as R&B, Hip-Hop, and Classical.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stated, “By introducing these three new categories, we are able to acknowledge and appreciate a broader array of artists. We are excited to honor and celebrate the creators and recordings in these categories, while also exposing a wider range of music to fans worldwide.”
