Grammys Split Country Album Category After Beyonce's Win

The Recording Academy has restructured the Grammy Awards by dividing the prestigious Best Country Album category into two distinct awards: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album. This significant adjustment occurred shortly after Beyoncé's unprecedented 2025 win for "Cowboy Carter," an event that stirred considerable discussion within the country music industry.

The decision, announced in 2025, aims to honor the genre's rich historical foundations while simultaneously embracing its forward momentum and diverse sonic landscape. Influences from pop, rap, and hip-hop have increasingly intertwined with traditional country sounds, leading to a broader definition of the genre.

Experts note that conversations about evolving the country categories had been ongoing for years, predating Beyoncé's win. Figures like Lil Nas X and artists such as Morgan Wallen and Post Malone have been instrumental in expanding the genre's reach, sometimes to the chagrin of traditionalists.

This reconfiguration also highlights ongoing discussions about diversity and inclusion within country music, acknowledging the genre's historically diverse roots and addressing the underrepresentation of Black artists. The move is seen by some as a step toward a more inclusive recognition of the multifaceted nature of country music.