The Recording Academy, the organization behind the annual GRAMMY Awards, is sharing a series of updates to the annual GRAMMY Awards process for the 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, which take place Sunday, Feb. 2, live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Key updates to the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season include adjustments to eligibility criteria, Category renaming, and submission guidelines updates for some Categories, including the Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical Category. All updates go into effect immediately at the 2025 GRAMMYs.

The 2024 amendments were voted on and passed at the Recording Academy's semiannual Board of Trustees meeting. These changes, designed to enhance the integrity and inclusivity of the awards, reflect the Academy's commitment to staying current with the evolving music industry.

Read more: 2025 GRAMMYs To Take Place Sunday, Feb. 2, Live In Los Angeles; GRAMMY Awards Nominations To Be Announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

The Recording Academy accepts proposals for changes to the GRAMMY Awards process from members of the music community year-round. The Awards & Nominations Committee, composed of Recording Academy Voting Members from diverse genres and backgrounds, meets annually to review proposals to update Awards Categories, procedures and eligibility guidelines.

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process, read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section, view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines, and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.

Read the updates and amendments for the 2025 GRAMMYs in full below:

Eligibility, Criteria & Submission Guidelines Amendments:

• All eligibly-credited Featured Artists with under 50% playtime will now be awarded a Winners' Certificate for all genre album Categories. (Note: Does not apply to Best Musical Theater Album, the General Field or Craft Categories.)

• In the Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical Category, the following submission guidelines were amended, allowing for wider representation of the songwriter community:

  • The minimum submission threshold in which a songwriter is credited as a songwriter or co-writer (not a primary or featured artist or producer) was reduced from five to four songs.

  • The additional number of songs a songwriter may enter in which they are also credited as a primary or featured artist, or any other supporting role, increased from four to five.

• The Best Traditional R&B Performance Category criteria was amended to more accurately represent recordings that embody the classic elements of R&B/soul music, distinguishing them from contemporary interpretations of the genre.

• The Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Category criteria was amended to expand the Category by broadening its scope and welcoming more entries from the Musical Theater community. Additionally, album eligibility criteria was updated to require that albums in this Category must contain more than 75% of newly recorded (previously unreleased) performances.

• The Best Children's Music Album Category criteria was amended to include a requirement that lyrics and English-language translations must be included with entry submissions. Additionally, an intended audience age range for this Category was defined as infant to 12 years old.

GRAMMY Award Category Adjustments:

• The Best Remixed Recording Category has moved from the Production, Engineering, Composition & Arrangement Field into the Pop & Dance/Electronic Field.

• The Category formerly known as Best Pop Dance Recording has been renamed Best Dance Pop Recording.

• The Best Dance/Electronic Music Album Category was renamed to Best Dance/Electronic Album, and the Category criteria was amended to establish that albums must be made up of at least 50% Dance/Electronic recordings to qualify.

• Conjunto music will now be recognized in the Best Regional Roots Music Album Category, rather than the Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano) Category.

• The Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media Category was amended to include a qualification for released material, specifically new DLC (downloaded content in-game) and Seasonal Expansions. The updated qualification establishes that greater than 50% of the music on an otherwise eligible Video Game Soundtrack or Interactive Media Soundtrack must be derived from new episodes or new programming released during the GRAMMY eligibility year for which it is entered.

With First Round Voting for the 2025 GRAMMYs officially opening today, Friday, Oct. 4, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. has once again reminded Voting Members of the critical role they play in shaping the future of music through their GRAMMY votes. As the head of the world's leading community of music professionals, Mason jr. continues to underscore the responsibility that GRAMMY voters carry in selecting the next class of GRAMMY nominees — artists and creators who are changing the soundscape of today's music industry.

The upcoming 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 2025 GRAMMYs will recognize the best in music, and First Round Voting is where the annual GRAMMY Awards voting process begins. During First Round Voting, which takes place from Friday, Oct. 4, through Tuesday, Oct. 15, Voting Members will cast their ballots to determine the GRAMMY nominees across all 94 Categories to be awarded at the 2025 GRAMMYs. Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

In a message sent to Recording Academy Voting Members this week, which you can read in full below, Mason jr. reflected on the immense power of GRAMMY voters and how their votes highlight individual achievements, shape trends, and fuel creative innovation within the global music industry. He encourages members to vote with care, integrity, and the understanding that their GRAMMY votes have long-lasting impacts on careers, the worldwide music industry, and the cultural legacy of the GRAMMY Awards.

Learn more about our My Academy Hub mobile app, which allows Recording Academy Voting Members to vote directly from their phones.

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process; read our First Round Voting guide for the 2025 GRAMMYs; read about the key updates happening at the 2025 GRAMMYs; read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section; view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines; and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.

Read Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.'s letter to Voting Members about GRAMMY voting in full below:

Dear Voting Members,

Another season of GRAMMY Voting is here, and I'm thrilled to share that First Round Voting officially opens this Friday, October 4.

During this time, I reflect on the power of our collective voice as Voting Members of the Recording Academy, and the unique light our awards shine on music's ability to shape the world and connect people across the globe. Every vote can shape the future of music, empower creators, and ignite innovation. It's a 67-year legacy that lasts well beyond Music's Biggest Night.

You last heard from me this summer when I encouraged you to vote with purpose during this GRAMMY season. Now, with First Round Voting just days away, I want to remind you that your choices have the power to shape careers and lives. It is your responsibility to your peers to vote with intention, pride, and purpose. Your fellow creators in music are counting on you.

So, join me and do your part: VOTE. Once you've cast your ballot, download our social toolkit and inspire your fellow members to make their voices heard by sharing on social. 

On Oct. 4, your ballot will be available on your member dashboard and in the My Academy Hub App, available to download on iPhone and Android. Please open and review it early, take time to listen to your peers' entries, and cast your votes to determine this year's GRAMMY nominees and winners. The deadline to submit your votes is Oct. 15 by 6 p.m. PT.

Remember, the GRAMMY Awards' power and significance continue thanks to dedicated members like you. Next February, all across the globe, the people who make music and the fans who love music will be watching to see who the GRAMMY voters have chosen to honor. All eyes will be on you, on us. Your vote matters now more than ever.

All the best,
Harvey Mason jr.
Recording Academy CEO

The annual GRAMMY Awards voting process this year kicks off Friday, Oct. 4, with First Round Voting for the 2025 GRAMMYs, a process that determines the nominees at the GRAMMY Awards each year. 

Voting Members of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the annual GRAMMY Awards, are able to cast their ballots for a variety of GRAMMY Categories to be awarded on Music's Biggest Night. The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will be held Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, so it's essential to get involved from the beginning. 

Before First Round Voting for the 2025 GRAMMYs gets underway, hear from some of music’s leading artists and Recording Academy Voting Members, including Troye Sivan, Coco Jones, Will Smith, John Legend, and others, speak about the importance of GRAMMY voting this year and every year.

Learn more about the Recording Academy's membership process and requirements.

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process; read our First Round Voting guide for the 2025 GRAMMYs; read about the key updates happening at the 2025 GRAMMYs; read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section; view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines; and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.

Read More: The Recording Academy Adds More Than 3,000 Women GRAMMY Voters Since 2019, Surpassing Its 2025 Membership Goal

As the 2025 GRAMMYs season kicks off with First Round Voting starting on Oct. 4, artists across the industry reflect on their creative journeys and contributions to the GRAMMYs. 

One of those artists is Khalid, a seven-time GRAMMY nominee whose deep connection to songwriting and the GRAMMY process is showcased in a new social media series. Khalid opens up about his evolution as a songwriter, the emotional depth of his work, and the significance of participating in GRAMMY voting as a Recording Academy member. 

Here’s a look at what he shared:

Khalid On His Evolution As A Songwriter

Khalid talks about how songwriting is central to his identity as an artist. He emphasizes the importance of creating a world for listeners to step into — a "soundscape" that captures emotion, honesty and vulnerability.

"Being a songwriter is something I value and I really hold dear to my core," Khalid says. "When you're creating a song, you're creating a soundscape. You're creating a universe that you want the listener to live in temporarily with you for three minutes, so it's all about empathizing with the listener."

Reflecting on his growth between 2019's Free Spirit and his latest album, Sincere, Khalid sees a journey filled with more love, loss and honesty. His advice to his younger self: "Keep having fun."

His statement reflects a theme at the Recording Academy's recent Songwriters & Composers Wing Town Hall, showcasing the crucial role songwriters play in the music industry. 

Read More: 4 Lessons & Resources Every Songwriter & Composer Should Know

Khalid On His Connection To The GRAMMYs

For Khalid, being a part of the GRAMMYs has been a dream come true, recalling how he once tweeted his desire to attend the event years before his career took off. He reflects on his first time being nominated — in 2018, when he received five nominations, including Best New Artist — and how meaningful it was to him as an artist.

"I will forever appreciate the GRAMMYs for that," Khalid explains of his impressive first year as a nominee. "I truly believe that my impact on this earth is to heal with my music and to help calm and create the vibe and the mood."

Khalid also emphasizes the importance of GRAMMY voting, encouraging Recording Academy members to use their voices to recognize and celebrate the work of fellow artists.

"We are the creatives, we are the musicians. We write these stories. We heal with this music. We have this magic when it comes down to music. Make sure you go out there and make sure you utilize your voice," he says. 

Read More: 2025 GRAMMYs To Take Place Sunday, Feb. 2, Live In Los Angeles; GRAMMY Awards Nominations To Be Announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

GRAMMYs True Or False With Khalid

As a fun bonus, Khalid participated in a quick game of GRAMMYs True or False, sharing his thoughts on some memorable GRAMMY moments. 

As the 2025 GRAMMYs season kicks off with First Round Voting, Khalid's reflections remind us of the impact that music — and the GRAMMY Awards — have on artists, fans and the world. Be sure to watch the videos and stay tuned for more insights from your favorite artists as we lead up to Music's Biggest Night on Feb. 2, 2025.

The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced 25 semifinalists for the 2025 Music Educator Award. These semifinalists, comprising a total of 25 music teachers from 24 cities across 14 states, were selected from more than 2,400 initial nominations submitted from 49 states. More than 200 quarterfinalists for the award were announced in May. Finalists for the 2025 Music Educator Award will be announced in December, and the ultimate recipient will be recognized during GRAMMY Week 2025, ahead of the 2025 GRAMMYs. See the full list of semifinalists below.

Presented annually by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, the Music Educator Award honors educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to music education and demonstrate a deep commitment to maintaining music education in schools.

Nominations for the 2026 Music Educator Award are now open.

Read More: Virginia's Annie Ray To Be Honored With 2024 Music Educator Award

The Music Educator Award is open to current U.S. music teachers. Anyone can nominate a teacher, including students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers can also nominate themselves. All nominated teachers are notified and invited to submit an application.

Each year, the Music Educator Award recipient is selected from 10 finalists and receives a $10,000 honorarium, along with a matching grant for their school's music program. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium and matching grants. The remaining 15 semifinalists, who are not selected as finalists, will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.

As working music educators, all semifinalists for the Music Educator Award are eligible to apply for Professional Membership at the Recording Academy, which allows members to play a part in creating a better world for music and its makers by advocating and fighting for music creators’ rights; helping the next generation of music leaders; submitting recordings for GRAMMY consideration; recommending other new members to join; electing the Recording Academy governing boards; and more.

The Music Educator Award program, including honorariums, is supported by The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association support this program through outreach to their constituencies.

Learn more about the Music Educator Award.

The full list of the 2025 Music Educator Award semifinalists is as follows: