What is the main rule for Grammy album genre nominations?

Albums must feature more than 50 percent playing time of a specific genre to be nominated in that category.

Can an album be nominated in one genre and its tracks in others?

Yes, an album may be in one genre field while one or more tracks from it can be in a different genre field.

How did Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' relate to this Grammy rule?

Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' won Best Country Album while a track from it was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance.

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Grammys Rule: 50% Genre Playtime Needed for Nomination

1 Feb

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Summary

Albums need over 50% of playtime in a genre to be nominated.
Tracks can belong to a different genre than the album.
Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' highlights this rule's application.

Grammys Rule: 50% Genre Playtime Needed for Nomination

The Recording Academy enforces a specific rule for Grammy nominations: albums must contain more than 50 percent playing time of a particular genre to be considered in that category. This regulation, however, allows for flexibility, as individual songs from an album can be submitted and nominated in entirely different genre fields.

This distinction was clearly demonstrated with Beyoncé's recent album, 'Cowboy Carter.' The record earned the award for Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Concurrently, a specific track from 'Cowboy Carter,' titled 'Bodyguard,' received a nomination in the Best Pop Solo Performance category, showcasing the application of this dual-genre consideration.

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