Grammys 2027 Add 5 New Categories: Best Asian Pop Performance, Best Latin Song and More
The Recording Academy has announced five new Grammy Award categories for the 2027 ceremony, including Best Asian Pop Performance, Best Latin Song, Best Video Game Soundtrack, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about the changes.
The Five New Categories Announced
<p>The Recording Academy announced on June 16, 2026 that the 69th Annual Grammy Awards in 2027 will feature five new categories, the largest expansion of categories since 2012. The new categories are: Best Asian Pop Performance (recognizing the explosive growth of K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and other Asian pop music globally), Best Latin Song (a songwriter-focused category honoring Latin music composition, separate from existing Latin performance categories), Best Video Game Soundtrack (responding to the artistic recognition of video game music), Best Social Media Song (recognizing songs that achieved cultural impact primarily through platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels), and Best Immersive Audio Production (expanding the previous Best Immersive Audio Album category). The Academy’s Board of Trustees approved the new categories after a year-long review process. The additions bring the total number of Grammy categories to 96.</p>
Best Asian Pop Performance: A Long-Overdue Recognition
<p>The addition of Best Asian Pop Performance is the most significant category expansion for global music representation in Grammy history. The category recognizes the phenomenal global growth of Asian pop music, which has seen streaming numbers increase 340% since 2020. K-pop continues to dominate with BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and NewJeans achieving multi-platinum status worldwide. J-pop artists like Ado, Yoasobi, and Vaundy have crossed over to global audiences through anime soundtracks and social media. C-pop and Mandopop stars like Jay Chou, Wang Yibo, and Lexie Liu are seeing unprecedented international streaming growth. Thai pop and Filipino pop are also gaining traction. The category is open to recordings primarily performed in an Asian language (including but not limited to Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Hindi) with at least 51% of lyrical content in an Asian language. HYBE called it “a historic moment for Asian artists and the global recognition of Asian pop music culture.” First-time eligibility runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.</p>
Best Video Game Soundtrack: Gaming Gets Its Due
<p>The Best Video Game Soundtrack category represents the Recording Academy’s recognition of video game music as a legitimate and artistically significant medium. Video game soundtracks were previously eligible for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, but the new dedicated category allows for more appropriate competition among game scores specifically. Video game music has evolved from simple 8-bit melodies to complex orchestral compositions performed by world-class ensembles, with composers like Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), Mick Gordon (DOOM), Austin Wintory (Journey), and Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts) achieving recognition comparable to film composers. In 2025, video game music streaming grew 42% year-over-year, with over 80 million monthly active listeners on Spotify alone. Eligible titles for the first year include soundtracks from Star Fox Eclipse, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Hades II, and Gears of War E-Day. The Game Developers Conference called it “a well-deserved recognition of the artistry in game music production.”</p>
Impact on the Music Industry and Award Season Dynamics
<p>The five new categories will significantly impact the 2027 Grammy Awards and the broader music industry. For artists: new categories create new opportunities for recognition, particularly for Asian pop artists and video game composers who were previously underrepresented. The expanded categories also mean more performance slots during the ceremony. For the Recording Academy: the additions demonstrate responsiveness to industry evolution and may help reverse declining viewership among younger demographics. For the broader awards landscape: other major awards shows may follow the Grammys’ lead. The 69th Grammy Awards will take place on January 31, 2027 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced alongside all other categories in November 2026. For Asian pop artists and video game composers around the world, the 2027 Grammys will be historic.</p>
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new Grammy categories take effect?
The five new categories take effect for the 69th Grammy Awards in January 2027. Eligibility runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, meaning releases in that window are eligible for the first awards in the new categories.
What is the eligibility requirement for Best Asian Pop Performance?
Recordings must be primarily performed in an Asian language, with at least 51% of lyrical content in languages including Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Hindi. The category is open to all Asian pop sub-genres.
Can any video game soundtrack be submitted for Best Video Game Soundtrack?
Yes, original scores created specifically for video games are eligible, including both downloadable and physical releases. The soundtrack must be commercially released and meet typical Grammy eligibility requirements.
Will the new categories increase the number of performers at the Grammys?
Yes, the addition of five new categories typically means more nominated artists and more potential performance slots. The Best Asian Pop Performance category alone could bring K-pop and J-pop groups to the Grammy stage for the first time in featured performances.
Entertainment Team
Expert reviewer at Verdict — testing AI productivity tools since 2023.
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