The Grammy Awards are adding a new category dedicated to Asian pop music.
The Recording Academy, which oversees music’s biggest night, will introduce five new categories starting with the 69th Grammy Awards. They include Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best Latin Song, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance and Best Traditional Folk Album.
The category drawing the most attention is Best Asian Pop Music Performance. It will recognize popular music from across Asia, including K-pop and J-pop, and will consider works that prominently use the language of at least one Asian country. The goal is to spotlight the musical achievements of artists from Asia, as well as artists recognized in local Asian music markets.
The move is seen as a reflection of Asian pop’s growing influence in the global music industry. In recent years, K-pop artists including BTS and Rosé have earned Grammy nominations in major categories, though those nods have yet to turn into wins.
Industry observers say the new category could expand the chances of K-pop artists taking home a Grammy.
The Recording Academy is also updating some of its rules. Best New Artist nominees will now be eligible for up to four nominations, up from three, while the requirement for new recordings in album categories will be lowered from 75% to 66%.
The 69th Grammy Awards, where the new rules will apply, are scheduled to take place on Feb. 7th next year.
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