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Ahead of the nominees for the 2024 Grammys being revealed later this year, the Recording Academy has added three new categories for the forthcoming ceremony, providing artists with new opportunities to submit their work and potentially win golden gramophones.
The newly added categories for the 2024 Grammys include Best African Music Performance, Best Pop Dance Recording, and Best Alternative Jazz Album. The introduction of these three new categories will bring the total number of Grammy categories to 94, offering a diverse range of recognition for various musical genres and styles.
The inclusion of the Best Pop Dance Recording category aims to bridge the gap between pop and electronic/dance music, which have often been used interchangeably over the years. This category acknowledges the influence and impact of dance and electronic music within the pop genre. Previous winners in the Best Dance Recording category, such as Kylie Minogue, Rihanna, and Britney Spears, demonstrate the convergence of these genres, with dance artists and tracks also receiving recognition in pop categories.
The Recording Academy explained what Best Pop Dance Recording means in a press release, stating that the category “Recognizes tracks and singles that feature up-tempo, danceable music that follows a pop arrangement. Eligible Pop Dance recordings also feature strong rhythmic beats and significant electronic-based instruments with an emphasis on the vocal performance, melody and hooks.”
Another notable addition is the Best African Music Performance category, which creates a separate space for artists from the African continent. This category diverges from the recently introduced Best Global Music Performance category, which has seen nominations for several African artists in the two years it’s been handed out. The new award specifically aims to honor the rising stars from Africa who have been making waves in major markets like the U.S. in recent years. However, it remains uncertain what will happen to the Best Global Music Performance category and how African artists will be nominated and recognized in the future.
Additionally, the introduction of Best Alternative Jazz Album expands the recognition of jazz music, with a total of six categories now representing different aspects of the genre. The distinction between alternative jazz and traditional jazz might not be entirely clear, just as rock artists face challenges in determining whether to submit for Best Rock Performance or the newer Best Alternative Music Performance category. The Recording Academy’s explanation suggests that alternative jazz combines traditional jazz elements with other styles, although this could potentially become a complex and subjective distinction.
The 2024 Grammys will also witness changes in the main fields of recognition. Both Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, and Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical will now be counted as top prizes, alongside Album, Record, and Song of the Year, as well as Best New Artist. This expansion recognizes the significant contributions of producers and songwriters in the music industry. It remains to be seen whether these awards will be presented during the live telecast of the ceremony.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/06/13/the-grammys-add-three-new-awards-including-pop-dance-recording/