Grammys Drop ‘Urban’ From Category Name, Clarify Best New Artist Rules

The Dixie Chicks — ahem, The Chicks — are NOT afraid of changin’!

Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, T Bone Burnett, Sheryl Crow, Keb’ Mo’ and Steve Earle, The artist-run nonprofit announced the news Friday (June 18), saying the council will “provide perspective and advisory input” to the organization while helping to foster awareness of current issues facing content creators.

Nearly 14 years after his death, legendary singer James Brown may soon have his last wish fulfilled. The entertainer known as “The Godfather of Soul” and “The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business” – who died at age 73 in 2006 -- wanted millions of dollars from his estate to go toward helping needy kids get an education.

With less than three months before the end of the 63rd Grammy Awards’ eligibility period (which began on Sept. 1, 2019 and ends Aug. 31), the contenders for the coveted best new artist category are shaping up to be a who’s who of hitmakers on Billboard’s charts.

The Recording Academy has addressed the conflicts of interest in the Grammy Awards nomination committee and made several changes to the awards categories.

The Grammy Awards have decided to drop the word “Urban” from three of its award categories.

Grammys have dropped the word ‘urban’ from their awards categories.The Black Music Coalition penned an open letter to all music industry leaders this week in a bid to tackle racism, with one section calling for bosses to replace ‘urban music’ with ‘black music’.Today (June 10) the Grammys confirmed that they will no longer be using the term, while outlining an “ongoing commitment to evolve with the musical landscape”.The Best Urban Contemporary Album category will be known going forward as the

Cuz I Love You won earlier this year—is now going to be called the Best Progressive R&B Album category in an effort to "appropriately categorize and describe this subgenre," as well as acknowledge albums that feature song and production elements of hip-hop, rap, dance, pop, euro-pop, country, rock, folk and alternative music.The Best Rap/Sung Performance category is now being changed to Best Melodic Rap Performance to "represent the inclusivity of the growing hybrid trends" within the genre.

Republic Records announced last week that it will cease using the term “urban,” Mason noted that the Academy’s changes actually were decided last month.

GRAMMY Awards are undergoing some changes. The Recording Academy announced on Wednesday that they've voted to rename four categories ahead of the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards.The first of the categories to change is Best Urban Contemporary Album, an award that Lizzo won at this year's ceremony for her album, .

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Grammy Awards will cease using the term “urban” in its awards and language as part of the latest round of annual changes to its rules and guidelines, the Recording Academy announced Wednesday (June 10).

As is the case with many of our favourite high-street stores, M&S has planned to reopen many of its UK branches on June 15, following new guidance from the government.

Police officers in England can tell people to leave someone’s home if they are breaching new lockdown rules but cannot make them go, according to the guidance issued to forces.

Coronation Street’s Andy Whyment has revealed to fans the new rules that he and his fellow soap actors have to adhere to as the ITV programme prepares to resume filming.