Grammy creates new category for Best Latin Song, but leaves Brazil out

The Grammy Awards announced this Tuesday (15) updates for next year's edition. In 2027, the award will feature new categories and changes to the rules and voting system, according to the award's official channels. The next ceremony already has a date and is scheduled for February 7, 2027.

One of the new features is the creation of the unprecedented Best Latin Song category. However, only songs with more than 51% of the lyrics in Spanish can compete, which could significantly restrict Brazilian presence in the category.

Before the update, the Grammys already had five categories dedicated to Latin music: Best Latin Pop Album, Best Latin Rock or Alternative Music Album, Best Latin Tropical Music Album, Best Latin Jazz Album and Best Urban Music Album.

According to the Recording Academy, responsible for organizing the awards, the changes follow some changes observed in the music market in recent years. In an official statement, released on social media, CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stated that the updates recognize a greater diversity of genres and artists today.

Among the planned changes, five new categories will be created:

- Best Asian Pop Music Performance: category will be aimed at recognizing musical productions linked to the Asian market, such as K-pop and J-pop;
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance: interpretations that follow the traditional style of pop will be awarded in a category different from contemporary forms of the genre; Best R&B Solo Performance;
- Best Traditional Folk Album: recognizes works linked to the traditional form of the Folk genre;
- Best Latin Song: will reward composers of new songs with a predominance of the Spanish language, which must represent at least 51% of the lyrics.

New rule for Latin songs leaves Brazil out of the race
The changes in the rule for songs in the category only target productions originating from Spanish-speaking countries, according to a resolution published by the Recording Academy. With the change, Brazilian hits, whose lyrics are not 51% in Spanish, cannot compete.

In 2025, singer Anitta was nominated for Best Latin Pop Album with "Funk Generation", which was recorded mostly in English and Spanish. The previous year, the artist had already been nominated as New Artist.

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Source: CNN