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Photo: Timothy Kuratek/CBS via Getty Images

News
Poll: Best Progressive R&B Album Name Change poll-let-us-know-what-you-think-about-best-progressive-rb-album-category-name-change

Poll: Let Us Know What You Think About The Best Progressive R&B Album Category Name Change

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Last week, the Recording Academy announced several category name changes, including for Best Urban Contemporary Album, has been renamed to Best Progressive R&B Album
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jun 17, 2020 - 10:58 am

Last week, on June 10, the Recording Academy announced updates to the GRAMMY Awards guidelines, including name changes and updates for several categories. One of the four name changes, Best Urban Contemporary Album has been renamed to Best Progressive R&B Album, and we want to know what you think about it.

Polls

What do you think about the Best Progressive R&B Album category name change?

The changes were approved by the board in May and came from ongoing conversations with the Recording Academy's members. The aforementioned category was updated to offer "a more accurate definition to describe the merit or characteristics of music compositions or performances themselves within the genre of R&B. This category is intended to highlight albums that include the more progressive elements of R&B and may include samples and elements of hip-hop, rap, dance, and electronic music. It may also incorporate production elements found in pop, euro-pop, country, rock, folk and alternative."

"Equality Is More Than Just A Word": Michael "Wanz" Wansley On How The Music Industry Can Effect Real Change

"I'm excited to announce our latest changes, as we're constantly evaluating our Awards process and evolving it to ensure the GRAMMY Awards are inclusive and reflect the current state of the music industry," Harvey Mason Jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, explained. "The Academy accepts proposals for rule changes from members of the music community throughout the year that are carefully reviewed and, if accepted, ultimately ratified at our annual Board meeting, a process that we are proud to have continued in this challenging year."

The removal of the umbrella term "urban" from the category comes several days after Warner Music and Republic Records (both under Universal Music Group) revealed they would no longer use the term. The newly established Black Music Coalition of U.K. music executives, inspired by the emerging #TheShowMustBePaused movement in the U.S., called for the removal of the term "urban" from music industry language in an open letter pushing for "a legacy of lasting change."

"Urban contemporary" was coined by Black New York radio DJ Frankie Crocker in 1974 to encompass the broad mix of music by Black artists he played—R&B, funk, disco, hip-hop and more—and to attract advertising dollars from white businesses.

At the 2020 GRAMMYs earlier this year, Lizzo's Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) won Best Urban Contemporary Album. Two of the album's singles, "Truth Hurts" and "Jerome" also won, for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Traditional R&B Performance, respectively.

Poll: From "Savage" To "03' Bonnie & Clyde," What's Your Favorite Beyoncé Feature?

Brandy & Monica at 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala

Brandy & Monica at 2011 Pre-GRAMMY Gala

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

News
Poll: What's Your Favorite Verzuz Battle Matchup? brandy-vs-monica-timbaland-vs-swizz-beatz-whats-your-favorite-verzuz-battle-matchup

From Brandy Vs. Monica To Timbaland Vs. Swizz Beatz, What's Your Favorite Verzuz Battle Matchup?

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On Aug. 31, the latest Verzuz battle will pair up the '90s R&B/pop superstars 22 years after their unforgettable GRAMMY-winning "The Boy Is Mine" duet/duel. We want to know which epic pairing is your favorite
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 28, 2020 - 9:10 am

One of the more beautiful and creative things to come out of quarantine has been the Verzuz rap-and-beyond livestream battles, an ongoing, star-studded series hosted by GRAMMY-winning hip-hop icons Timbaland and Swizz Beatz.

The star-studded musical series began with the hosts themselves battling it out during a five-hour Instagram Live back in March, and has since featured such epic pairings as rap kings Rick Ross and 2 Chainz, New York OGs Fabolous and Jadakiss, big dogs DMX and Snoop Dogg, R&B/pop pianists Alicia Keys and John Legend, Jamaican dancehall heavyweights Beenie Man and Bounty Killer and many more.

Learn More: The Verzuz Effect: How Swizz Beatz & Timbaland's Beat Battles Showcase Music's Past, Present And Future

Polls

What's Your Favorite Verzuz Battle Matchup?

The musical faceoffs have also featured OG hit-making R&B producers Teddy Riley and Babyface, rap producer wunderkids Boi-1da and Hit-Boy, neo-soul queens Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, Southern rap champs Nelly and Ludacris, rapper/producer/hype men T-Pain and Lil Jon, as well as gospel legends Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin.

Our Last Poll: From "WAP" To "Big Booty," What's Your Favorite Megan Thee Stallion Feature?

The latest, highly anticipated Verzuz (airing on Aug. 31 on Verzuz's Instagram, Apple Music and Apple TV) will pair up the '90s R&B/pop superstars Brandy and Monica 22 years after their iconic, GRAMMY-winning "The Boy Is Mine" duet/duel.

In honor of all the magic and realness Verzuz has been sharing worldwide this year, we want to know which epic pairing is your favorite in our poll above. Vote now and scroll down to watch some of the past battles.

Read: Afro Nation Co-Founders Smade & Obi Asika Talk Festival Origins, Uniting The African Diaspora & Celebrating Diversity

Can You Fill Me In: 20 Years Of Craig David's 'Born To Do It'

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Mariah Carey at the 1991 GRAMMYs

Mariah Carey at the 1991 GRAMMYs

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Watch Mariah Carey Win Best New Artist In 1991 mariah-carey-best-new-artist-1991-grammys-grammy-rewind

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Mariah Carey Shine As She Wins Best New Artist At The 1991 GRAMMYs

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In the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind, watch the powerhouse songstress accept her Best New Artist gramophone
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Nov 27, 2020 - 10:43 am

In the latest edition of GRAMMY Rewind, witness a 20-year-old Mariah Carey shine brightly at the 1991 GRAMMYs as she accepts her Best New Artist GRAMMY win.

"I'd just like to thank God for the blessings that have brought me here," she says, rocking curly locks and a classy, rhinestone-encrusted little black dress.

Watch Mariah Carey Win Best New Artist In 1991

More Mariah: Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Hits No. 1 25 Years After Its Initial Release

That year, she took home her first two golden gramophones, also winning Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her debut hit single, "Vision of Love." The powerful song was also nominated for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year, while her self-titled debut album, which opens with the track, got a nod for Album Of The Year.

Meet This Year's Best New Artist Nominees | 2021 GRAMMYs

 

Whitney Houston at 1987 GRAMMYs

Whitney Houston at 1987 GRAMMYs

News
Watch Whitney Houston Sing "Greatest Love of All" grammy-rewind-watch-whitney-houston-sing-greatest-love-all-1987-grammys

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Whitney Houston Sing "Greatest Love of All" At The 1987 GRAMMYs

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The inspirational No. 1 hit was recorded for her 1985 self-titled debut album (which also went to No. 1) and was originally recorded by fellow GRAMMY-winning Arista artist George Benson in 1977
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Oct 9, 2020 - 12:06 pm

For the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind (watch in full below), witness six-time GRAMMY-winning pop/R&B queen Whitney Houston dazzle the 1987 GRAMMYs audience with a show-stopping rendition of "Greatest Love Of All."

Just 23 at the time, she looked glamourous in a cream sequin dress as she offered up her warm, angelic vocals and stage presence to the whole room.

Watch Whitney Houston Sing "Greatest Love of All"

Watch More: Flashback To Whitney Houston's 1985 Hit "Saving All My Love For You" | For The Record

The inspirational No. 1 hit was recorded for her 1985 self-titled debut album (which also went to No. 1) and was originally recorded by fellow GRAMMY-winning Arista artist George Benson in 1977.

The song, released as the seventh single from Whitney Houston, was nominated for Record Of The Year during the 29th GRAMMY Awards that year.

The prior year at the 1986 GRAMMYs, the vocal powerhouse earned her first golden gramophone, for "Saving All My Love For You" and, at the 30th GRAMMY Awards, she earned her second, for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)."

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Whitney Houston Win Best Female R&B Vocal Performance At The 2000 GRAMMYs

Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack at the 1974 GRAMMYs

News
Roberta Flack Wins Record Of The Year In 1974 grammy-rewind-roberta-flack-wins-record-year-killing-me-softly-his-song

GRAMMY Rewind: Roberta Flack Wins Record Of The Year For "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

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For the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind, we revisit the iconic soul singer's second Record Of The Year GRAMMY, for "Killing Me Softly With His Song" at the 1974 GRAMMYs
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Oct 2, 2020 - 12:17 pm

For the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind (watch below), we revisit the iconic Roberta Flack's second Record Of The Year GRAMMY, for "Killing Me Softly With His Song" at the 1974 GRAMMYs.

Looking '70s chic in a lime green dress and natural makeup, she accepted her award with a simple yet sincere message: "I'd like to thank the world."

Roberta Flack Wins Record Of The Year In 1974

The soulful classic/No. 1 hit (which hit No. 1 again when the Fugees covered it in 1996) also won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance that year. The emotive song is from Flack's 1973 album Killing Me Softly, which was also nominated for Album Of The Year that year.

The year prior, at the 15th GRAMMY Awards, Flack won her first two GRAMMYs, Record Of The Year for "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" (yes, she won it two years in a row!) and Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus for "Where Is The Love" with Donny Hathaway, from their 1972 duet album.

Watch & Learn: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Watch The Recording Academy's Inspiring "Change Music" Summit In Full

This year, the "Tryin' Times" singer's powerful voice and countless classics will be celebrated at the GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends, where she joins the prestigious group of Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. Along with Isaac Hayes, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, John Prine and several others, she joins the 2020 class.

Tune into the Special Merit Awards 2020 celebration on Oct. 16 on PBS to hear music from the honorees sung by artists they've inspired.

Watch: Lalah Hathaway Honors Late Father Donny Hathaway In Moving GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends Performance

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.