In an effort to remain relevant, the folks at the Recording Academy today announced plans to cut more than 30 categories from the bloated show.
Over the course of the Grammys’ 53-year existence, the number of awards handed out has climbed to 109. Next year there were only (only!) be 78.
“After careful and extensive review and analysis of all categories and fields, it was objectively determined that our Grammy categories be restructured to the continued competition and prestige of the highest and only peer-recognized award in music,” Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow said.
No genre is escaping the massive overhaul—the cuts are across the board with several similar-sounding genres getting bunched together, and less distinction between male and female categories.
For example, gone is Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals, and the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance are getting morphed into the gender-neutral Best Pop Solo Performance. The same changes apply to the rock, R&B and country categories. Rap lost just one field by combining solo and group performance fields into a Best Rap Performance.