Grammy Awards Will Expand The Number of Nominees in General Categories to Eight
Ever think your favorite artist got snubbed from being nominated for a Grammy? Well, now the Recording Academy is giving more musicians a chance to earn a coveted gramophone by upping the number of nominees in its four most prestigious categories—record, song and album of the year and best new artist—from five to eight.
"Throughout the year, we team up with music people across all genres and disciplines to consider revisions and subsequently make amendments to our rules and entry guidelines to ensure we're keeping up with our ever-changing industry and meeting the needs of music creators," said Recording Academy president/CEO Neil Portnow in a statement. "This creates more opportunities for a wider-range of recognition in these important categories and gives more flexibility to our voters when having to make the often challenging decisions about representing excellence and the best in music for the year. We look forward to celebrating all of our nominees when they are announced later this year."
Though the four general categories will be ratified, the other 80 will stay capped at five. The new rule will be effective immediately and be in place for the 61st annual Grammy Awards in 2019.
Portnow found himself in hot water after last year's ceremony when he suggested women should "step up" if they want to go home with an award.
2018 Grammys Red Carpet