The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is receiving criticism from diverse pockets of the music industry after their announcement of the planned elimination of 31 categories from next year’s award ceremony. The total number of Grammys handed out will now be 78, a steep drop from 2011’s 109. In the genres of R&B, pop and country, male awards and female awards have been consolidated, meaning male and female performers will now compete for every award in each genre.
While this change may be the most noticeable to the casual music award watcher, it is another batch of eliminated awards that is garnering the Academy so much unwanted attention. A number of ethnic and regional genres, such as Zydeco, Cajun and Hawaiian music have either been consolidated or dropped completely. The decision is seen by many in the music community as a snub to minorities and minority culture. In fact, a group of Latin jazz artists have even announced intentions to sue the Academy, citing the boost in record sales that results for even a nomination for the prestigious music award.
Neil Portnow, president of the academy, and George J. Flanigen IV, chairman of its board, issued a letter on behalf of the academy defending its decision to eliminate the 31 categories and refuting any claims that racism or discrimination played a role in the move. “It is disappointing that some individuals chose to make false, inflammatory statements suggesting that this realignment of the Grammy award categories was motivated by race or ethnicity,” stated the letter. It continues, “we would never tolerate any attempt to advance a racist agenda using our organization, and we were appalled when these provocative, unwarranted allegations were raised.”
