Following in the leads made by Republic Records, the Recording Academy makes the announcement as part of the organization's annual changes to its rules and guidelines.
- Jun 11, 2020
AceShowbiz - The Grammy Awards will no longer use the term "urban", America's Recording Academy announced Wednesday, June 10.
As part of the organization's annual changes to its rules and guidelines, the term, typically used to describe black music, will be removed from its awards and language. It comes after Republic Records announced last week that it too will cease to use the term "urban."
Best Urban Contemporary Album has been renamed Best Progressive R&B Album, to highlight albums that include the more progressive elements of R&B and may include samples and elements of hip-hop, rap, dance and electronic music.
While Best Rap/Sung Performance Category has been renamed Best Melodic Rap Performance to represent the inclusivity of the growing hybrid performance trends within the rap genre.
"It's something we've been discussing for a couple of years, and the term has been a hot button for a while," interim president and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. tells Variety. "A lot of creators and people in that genre didn't like that description and felt it pigeonholed certain styles of music, so when our constituents brought that to us in the form of a proposal, we listened and voted to approve, as asked by the people in that community."
He continued, "It's all part of what I hope will be a and a new chapter in our history. We're listening to and learning from our partners and constituents and stakeholders; we're trying to make sure we're able to pivot and change and adapt; and we want to be really inclusive."
The changes, part of an effort to advance a "very transparent and transformed Recording Academy," also include updates to the Best New Artist category, Latin, R&B and Rap Fields, and Nominations Review Committees.
