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The Grammy Awards are getting a facelift — and perhaps even a bit southern twang. The Recording Academy introduced a brand new wave of class updates forward of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, set for February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. And this time, they’re acknowledging the ability of each style evolution and visible artistry.

Probably the most talked-about replace? A brand-new class for Greatest Modern Nation Album, which splits the longstanding Greatest Nation Album subject into two. The brand new distinction, which incorporates Greatest Conventional Nation Album, alerts that the Academy is listening to the shifting sound — and viewers — of recent nation.

It’s exhausting to not join the timing to COWBOY CARTER, Beyoncé’s genre-bending, culture-claiming undertaking that dominated the dialog in 2024. Whereas the Academy hasn’t named names, the message is evident: Nation is increasing, and the gate is cracking open.

Additionally new to the Grammy lineup is Greatest Album Cowl, a long-overdue nod to the creatives who craft the visuals that assist promote an album’s world. Whereas there’s lengthy been recognition for packaging and liner notes, this new class speaks to the period of aesthetic storytelling during which a single picture can go viral earlier than the music even drops. With album visuals being teased like film trailers and dissected like trend campaigns, this class feels proper on time.

Different adjustments embody expanded eligibility for Greatest New Artist and tweaks within the classical and packaging classes to replicate immediately’s business panorama. Although nominations will drop on Nov. 7, the dialog has already began.

These updates present that the Grammys are nonetheless attempting to maintain tempo with the tradition. See the complete 2026 Grammy rulebook here.