New Grammy rules: Changes for 2025

The music industry is always changing, so the Grammys make frequent adjustments to their rules and regulations. They announced a new round of updates on June 14.

Among the changes, Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical, has been opened up: “The minimum submission threshold in which a songwriter is credited as a songwriter or co-writer (not a primary or featured artist or producer) was reduced from five to four songs.” At the same time, “the additional number of songs a songwriter may enter in which they are also credited as a primary or featured artist, or any other supporting role, increased from four to five.”

Best Traditional R&B Performance amended its rules to “more accurately represent recordings that embody the classic elements of R&B/soul music,” while Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album will now be open to more recordings from the musical theater community. And Best Children’s Music Album added requirements for lyrics and translations to be included in each contender’s submission.

Best Remixed Recording is making a move. It was previously included in the Production, Engineering, Composition and Arrangement Field, but now it’ll be part of the Pop and Dance/Electronic Field, changing who’s able to vote for the award and potentially the kinds of nominees we get. Conjunto music is also moving from Best Musica Mexicana Album to Best Regional Roots Music Album. Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games has been expanded to include extra downloaded content and expansions.

Also, a couple of name changes. Best Dance/Electronic Music Album is now just Best Dance/Electronic Album. And the recently added Best Pop Dance Recording race is now Best Dance Pop Recording. But dance music by any other name is still a bop.

Source: goldderby.com