Grammy Awards add new categories for Asian pop music

Updated at: June 17, 2026 at 12:45 AM

The music world is evolving, and the Recording Academy is adapting along with it.

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For the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027, the Academy has announced several exciting updates, most notably the introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.

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This new award aims to celebrate the incredible artistic excellence of Asian pop music, specifically recognizing genres like K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.

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While many view this as a landmark moment for global representation, it has also sparked conversations among fans about whether specialized categories help integrate or inadvertently separate artists from mainstream recognition.

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Beyond this, the 2027 Grammys will feature four other new categories and expanded eligibility for the Best New Artist award, acknowledging that modern music careers often take more time to flourish.

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These changes demonstrate the Academy's commitment to reflecting the truly global landscape of today's music industry.

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By honoring diverse voices and updating its criteria, the Grammy Awards are ensuring that the world's most influential sounds receive the recognition they deserve on the biggest stage in music.

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🎉

End of article

You read 7 focus sentences.

Challenge Mode

Comprehension Questions

Which of the following is a requirement for the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category?

The artist must have won a Grammy in a previous year.

The track must be performed exclusively in English.

The track must feature a meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.

Reveal Answer

✓

Correct Choice

The track must feature a meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.

What is the primary goal of introducing the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category?

To celebrate the artistic excellence of Asian pop music and reflect its global influence.

To limit the number of Asian artists allowed in mainstream categories.

To replace all existing pop categories with regional ones.

Reveal Answer

✓

Correct Choice

To celebrate the artistic excellence of Asian pop music and reflect its global influence.

How did the eligibility for the Best New Artist award change for the 2027 cycle?

Artists can now be submitted for a maximum of two years.

Only artists with global record deals are now eligible.

The number of times an artist can be submitted has increased from three to four.

Reveal Answer

✓

Correct Choice

The number of times an artist can be submitted has increased from three to four.

What concern have some fans and critics expressed regarding the new category?

That it makes the Grammy Awards too expensive to host.

That it might 'silo' Asian artists away from mainstream categories.

That it will lead to too many winners in the pop genre.

Reveal Answer

✓

Correct Choice

That it might 'silo' Asian artists away from mainstream categories.

Which other change is mentioned as part of the 2027 Grammy updates?

A ban on international artists participating in the awards.

Songwriters and composers of winning albums will now receive statuettes.

The removal of all songwriting awards.

Reveal Answer

✓

Correct Choice

Songwriters and composers of winning albums will now receive statuettes.

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