(AllHipHop News) Chance The Rapper has been one of the most outspoken artists to push for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to allow non-commercial albums be eligible for Grammy awards. Congrats Chance, the Recording Academy has amended its rules.
A press release announces the Grammys will now include recordings released via streaming platforms. Both streaming-only album and singles made public nationwide between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016 can be submitted for nominations at the 59th annual award ceremony in 2017.
The move means Chance The Rapper’s critically acclaimed Coloring Book will be able to compete for trophies such as Best Rap Album and Album Of The Year. The Chicago rhymer’s third solo project premiered on Apple Music and has not been made available for purchase.
The Recording Academy has also altered its rules for the Best New Artist award. Previously, an act could be considered for the honor only if the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist was released during the time of eligibility for that year.
As a response to the current trends in the way new music by developing artists are released and promoted, the Grammys will now consider an artist or group for the Best New Artist award if the act:
- released a minimum of five singles/tracks or one album, but no more than 30 singles/tracks or three albums
- has not entered into this category more than three times, including as a performing member of an established group
- have achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and impacted the musical landscape during the eligibility period.
In addition, the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration has been renamed and redefined as Best Rap/Sung Performance. The change was made to represent a solo artist who blurs the lines between rapping and singing.
