Musical country categories on the upcoming Grammy Awards 2026. They will look different than before.

Months after Beyoncé They took awards for "the best album" album "and" Carboy Carter ", who has a country no. 1" Texas Em showed them, "the awaries for filming the academy revealed that the state musicians approached the proposal for significant changes.

Moving forward, bidgeting awards will now respect two different types of countries: one containing a more traditional style of country music land, and other celebrity artists with contemporary sound, which often includes R & B, POP and Blues.

During 2025. Grammy awards, there were 10 categories in the country in the country and the root, with one special for the best album in the country.

For the upcoming ceremony, which will take place sometime during the first quarter of 2026. year, this category will be divided into two: the best album of the traditional country and the best album contemporary countries.

The others will categories, which focus on Americana, Bluegrass, Folk and even more, will remain.

Director for Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., elaborated on the change of interview with BillboardAdding that the contractors of the countries have accessed the Academy with their problems.

"They said, we think we need more space to celebrate our music and honors," he said, adding that the proposal in the past was delivered in the past.

"The country seems parallel to what is happening in other genres," Mason said, "but also creates space for a place where this genre is going."

According to Billboard, Gramms's best traditional album category will recognize "excellence in albums of traditional music for land, and vocal and instrumental."

"The traditional country includes the records of countries that adhere to the more traditional sound structures, including rhythm and singing, lyrical content, as well as the acoustic side, mandolin, piano, electric guitar and live.

As Mason continued to talk about the decision of the Academy to update the categories of countries on Grammys, it also suggested that the change would provide more opportunities for artists to celebrate among their peers.

"The questions were, traditionally, a lot of people who were unsure whether (album) were Americans or roots or people or the country just stuck all into one category," he said. "They are obviously shades between different genres. Those experts understand these shades, and I am quite sure you will see the right people in America in America in terms of the traditional country. (Change) gives us the opportunity to do things in certain categories."

Mason explained that taking changes in the way music in grams allows the recording academy to remain current with the evolution of the genre.

"I hope that the community understands that the academy does what always works, which is in line with what is happening in their genre," he finished.

At the beginning of 2025. years, after conquering several gratites for their rural album, "Cowboy Carter", Beyoncé faced criticism From online users who believed not to deserve honor.

However, during his speech acceptance, a member of the child of the former destiny used his platform to share words encouragement for those who look.