John P. Filo/CBSFollowing the controversy earlier this year over the lack of female nominees in the main categories, the Grammys are changing their tune.
Variety reports that the so-called “Big Four” categories — Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist — will now include eight nominees, rather than five. Variety reports that in the Recording Academy said of the change, “[It] will better reflect the large number of entries in these categories and allow voters greater flexibility when selecting this year’s best recordings.”
Earlier this year, the top Grammy nominees were musically and racially diverse, but only one woman — Lorde — was nominated for Album of the Year, and she wasn’t given a solo performance slot, unlike that category’s male nominees. Ultimately, the only woman who won in a televised category was Alessia Cara, who was named Best New Artist.
The Grammys are also changing the definitions of several other categories, such as Best Alternative Album, Best Comedy Album, and Best Dance/Electronic Album.
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles in early 2019.
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