The Recording
Academy has announced a new submissions category for potential Gospel Grammy Awards
winners titled Best Rock Gospel or Best Rap Gospel.The
nod to Gospel Rock/Rap comes as the demand for both genres of music increases
and according to statistics published by the Gospel Music Association, Christina
Rock/Hip-Hop account for almost 25% of all Gospel music sales.Digital
downloading of Gospel music is also on the rise, posting nearly 163 percent growth
in digital album sales from the first half of 2005, compared to the same time
period of 2006. So
far, the best selling Gospel digital track in 2006 in "Beautiful Love"
by The Afters. “The
first half of 2006 has been encouraging for gospel music,” GMA President
John W. Styll said of the industry’s growth. “It is especially good news
that the growth extends to a wide diversity of albums and styles, suggesting that
the inspiring and compassionate message that unifies all gospel music is resonating
in our culture today.” The
new categories for Gospel music are effective for the 2007 49th Annual Grammy
Awards submission window of Summer/Fall 2006.