Recording Academy Announces New Categories, Ahead of The 2026 GRAMMY Awards
The Recording Academy has unveiled new categories ahead of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, expanding opportunities for artists worldwide. Learn about the updates and what to expect as nominations drop soon.
The Recording Academy is setting the stage for a record-breaking celebration of global music as it announces new categories and prepares to unveil the official 2026 GRAMMY Awards nominations. This year’s awards promise to spotlight even more diversity, creativity, and innovation across genres — from Afrobeats to country and beyond.
🎶 New Categories for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards
According to The Recording Academy, two brand-new categories have been added for the 2026 awards season:
- Best Traditional Country Album
- Best Album Cover
These additions bring the total number of GRAMMY categories to 95 — marking a significant step toward recognizing the artistic and technical contributions that shape today’s global soundscape.
📅 When Will the 2026 GRAMMY Nominations Be Announced?
The official 2026 GRAMMY nominations will be revealed on Friday, November 7, 2025. The announcement will stream live on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel. Fans around the world can tune in to see which of their favorite artists made the cut.
🌍 A Global Stage for Artists
In recent years, the GRAMMYs have expanded their reach to include international genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Reggaeton, acknowledging the worldwide influence of these sounds. Nigerian artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Asake, and Ayra Starr have already left a lasting impact — and many are expected to return as nominees in 2026.
This year’s categories are designed to give a wider range of musicians, producers, and visual artists the recognition they deserve. The Recording Academy continues to evolve, ensuring music from every corner of the globe gets its spotlight.
🏆 2026 GRAMMYs: A Year of New Possibilities
The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held in early 2026, with the eligibility period covering releases from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025. The changes introduced this year reflect the Academy’s ongoing efforts to modernize and celebrate creativity in all its forms.
🔥 Nigerian Artists to Watch
As anticipation builds, fans are keeping an eye on Afrobeats heavyweights who may dominate the nominations list. Davido could make a return with his Timeless and 5ive projects, Burna Boy remains a Grammy favorite, and Asake and Seyi Vibez might earn their first major nods following their global streaming success.
The inclusion of Best African Music Performance — first introduced in 2024 — remains one of the most competitive and exciting categories to watch.
🎧 DjMondo Mirror Mirror Promotional Highlight
As Afrobeats continues to dominate global charts, rising artists are redefining the sound of Africa. One standout example is DjMondo, whose hit single “Mirror Mirror” blends Afro-soul and modern rhythm with deep storytelling.
Stream it now on Audiomack and experience why fans say it’s GRAMMY-worthy!
💬 Final Thoughts
The Recording Academy’s decision to expand and diversify its categories marks another step toward global inclusion in music’s biggest night. With nominations just days away, fans and artists alike are waiting eagerly to see who will shape the sound of 2026.
Stay tuned — we’ll bring you the full 2026 GRAMMY nominations list right here on DJMondo Music as soon as it’s released.
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