The Recording Academy is about to take the 68th Grammy Awards to a whole new level with some thrilling updates in a bid to keep the awards relevant and inclusive. The new categories, Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, reaffirm their commitment to honouring both musical heritage and visual artistry.

But the evolution doesn’t stop there! Some long-established categories are getting a makeover: the former Best Country Album category is being renamed to Best Contemporary Country Album, making it clear that genre-defining, boundary-pushing works still have a place at the forefront. Also launched is the Best Traditional Country Album category, which pays tribute to recordings that embody the essence of country – think acoustic guitars, banjos, outlaw energy, and lyrical storytelling.

This decision follows Beyoncé’s historic win for Cowboy Carter in the Best Country Album category, prompting the Academy to clarify distinctions within the genre.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. shared that Traditional country music “has a timeless, distinct sound that’s inspired generations of musicians.” Introducing this new category paves the way for innovators and traditionalists to be celebrated alongside one another.

This initiative has resonated strongly with African artists whose richness lies in their diversity. From Nigeria’s juju and highlife to Ghana’s hiplife and South Africa’s maskandi, each region brings its own identity and cultural depth. Just as the Grammys have distinguished nuances within country music, we believe the musical flavours emerging from Africa should also be honoured beyond the umbrella term “Afrobeats”.

Nigerian artist Wizkid has long advocated for this, emphasising he’s not an Afrobeats singer, in hopes that if the Grammys can acknowledge one genre in such a way, there’s plenty of room for new categories celebrating Africa’s distinct sounds.

Reviving the Best Album Cover award, spotlights creativity in photography, illustration, and design for both digital and physical releases, as long as the artwork is “predominantly new.” This additional category recognises that one stunning image that can define an era, evoke emotion, and become iconic in its own right.

While visual presentation has been celebrated through the Best Recording Package, which dates back to Frank Sinatra’s win in 1959, the Best Album Cover category focuses exclusively on the album cover itself. Plus, the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package has been streamlined into Best Recording Package, simplifying the visual awards while broadening their inclusion.

These changes stem from the Academy’s annual review process, which gathers inputs from its diverse membership. Mason Jr. notes the goal is to ensure the Grammys remain “fair, reflective of today’s musical landscape, and inclusive of the most qualified creators.”

So, mark your calendars! The 68th Grammys will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations go live on November 7, 2025, for eligible music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025.

With these new categories, the Grammys are not just handing out gold gramophones; they’re redefining artistic expression! They’re promoting genre diversity, visual creativity, and equitable recognition.

If one genre can receive tailored acknowledgement, there’s hope that the world’s vibrant musical traditions, particularly Africa’s, will soon have their own unique Grammy categories. 

Music’s biggest night is on the brink of an exciting transformation, and it’s set to get even! Stay tuned! 

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