On April 6, 2011, The Recording Academy announced a drastic overhaul of many Grammy Awards categories from 2012

54th Grammy Awards

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a...

. The number of categories will be brought down from 109 to 78. The most important change is the elimination of the distinction between male and female soloists and between collaborations and duo/groups in various genre fields (pop, rock, R&B, country and rap).

Other categories will be merged or renamed to better identify the nature of the category.

x = Newly formed category that combines previously separate categories

+ = Renamed category

General Field

This field will remain unchanged, except that the Album of the Year category may now also include classical albums.

• Record of the Year
  Grammy Award for Record of the Year
  The Record of the Year is one of the four most prestigious Grammy Awards presented annually. It has been awarded since 1959.-History:The honorees through its history have been:*1959-1965: Artist only.*1966-1998: Artist and producer....
  
  
• Album of the Year
  Grammy Award for Album of the Year
  The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer...
  
  
• Song of the Year
  Grammy Award for Song of the Year
  The Song of the Year is one of the four most prestigious awards in the Grammy Awards ceremony, if not in all of the American music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 and unlike the Record of the Year award, which goes to the performer and production team of a single song, Song of the Year...
  
  
• Best New Artist
  Grammy Award for Best New Artist
  The Grammy Award for Best New Artist has been awarded since 1959. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for records released in the previous year. The award was not presented in 1967...
  
  

Pop Field

• Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Instrumental Performance....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album
  Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality instrumental albums in the pop music genre...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album
  Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality pop music albums...
  
  

Dance/Electronica Field

• Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
  Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording
  The Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for works containing quality vocal performances in the dance music genre...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album
  Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the dance music and electronica genres...
  
   +

Rock Field

• Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Instrumental Performance.The restructuring of these...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance is a Grammy Award in the Rock Field that will start being presented as of 2012 at the 54th Grammy Awards. The Award combines the previous categories; Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Metal Performance...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
  Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
  The Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Rock Album
  Grammy Award for Best Rock Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Rock Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality albums in the rock music genre...
  
  

R&B Field

• Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
  Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Urban/Alternative...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance is an accolade presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally named the Gramophone Awards, to performers of quality traditional R&B vocal performances. The award was first given in 1999; until 2003, only...
  
   +
• Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
  Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
  The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song has been awarded since 1959. From 1969 to 2000 it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, from 1962 to 1968 it was known as Best Rhythm & Blues Recording, and from 1959-1961 as Best Rhythm & Blues Performance...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best R&B Album
  Grammy Award for Best R&B Album
  The Grammy Award for Best R&B Album is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality works on albums in the R&B music genre...
  
   Including Best Contemporary R&B Album (discontinued)

Rap Field

• Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance was an honor presented to recording artists at the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989 and the 32nd Grammy Awards in 1990 and again from 2012 for quality rap performances...
  
   (Revived category)
• Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
  Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
  The Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs on which rappers and singers collaborate...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Rap Song
  Grammy Award for Best Rap Song
  The Grammy Award for Best Rap Song was first awarded in 2004. It is a songwriting award given to all who wrote the lyrics and music of the song. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Rap Album
  Grammy Award for Best Rap Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Rap Album is an award presented to recording artists for quality albums with rapping at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
  
  

Country Field

• Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Instrumental Performance .The restructuring of...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals and Best Country Instrumental Performance...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Country Song
  Grammy Award for Best Country Song
  The Grammy Award for Best Country Song has been awarded since 1965. The award is given to the writer of the song.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Country Album
  Grammy Award for Best Country Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Country Album has been awarded since 1994. The equivalent award, the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Album was presented in 1965 and 1966...
  
  

Jazz Field

• Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo
• Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album
  Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album has been presented since 1977. Until 2001 this award was titled the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album
  Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
  The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album is an award that will start being presented in 2012.The Award was previously called Best Instrumental Jazz Album, Individual or Group from 1959 to 2011. The award will formally be discontinued from 2012 in a major overhaul of Grammy categories...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
  Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album has been presented since 1961. From 1962 to 1971 and 1979 to 1991 the award title specified instrumental performances...
  
  

Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Field

• Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance was awarded from 1968 to 1977, and revived for the Grammy Awards of 2005.Through the years, it has had several names:...
  
   +
• Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song
  Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song
  The Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to songwriters for quality gospel songs....
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
  Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
  The Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.Previously, the Recording Academy did not make a distinction between Contemporary Christian Music and Gospel music, but in its drastic overhaul of Grammy Awards categories...
  
   New category
• Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album
  Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.Previously, the Recording Academy did not make a distinction between Contemporary Christian Music and Gospel music, but in its drastic overhaul of Grammy Awards categories from 2012, announced...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
  Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.Previously, the Recording Academy did not make a distinction between Contemporary Christian Music and Gospel music, but in its drastic overhaul of Grammy Awards categories...
  
   New category

Latin Field

• Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album
  Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Latin Pop Album and Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican or Tejano Album
  Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican or Tejano Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican or Tejano Album is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Regional Mexican Album and Best Tejano Album....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Banda or Norteño Album
  Grammy Award for Best Banda or Norteño Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Banda or Norteno Album is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Banda Album and Best Norteno Album....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album
  Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album has been awarded since 1984. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1984 to 1991 the award was known as Best Tropical Latin Performance...
  
  

American Roots Music Field

• Grammy Award for Best Americana Album
  Grammy Award for Best Americana Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Americana Album is an honor presented to recording artists for quality albums in the Americana music genre at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album
  Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality works in the bluegrass music genre...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Blues Album
  Grammy Award for Best Blues Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Blues Album is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Contemporary Blues Album and Best Traditional Blues Album....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Folk Album
  Grammy Award for Best Folk Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Folk Album is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Traditional Folk Album categories....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album
  Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album is an annual music award that will be part of the Grammy ceremony from 2012.It is a new category in which the previous Best Hawaiian Music Album, Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album and Best Native American Music Album categories have been merged...
  
   x

Musical Theater Field

• Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album
  Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album has been awarded since 1959. The award was given only to the album producer, and to the composer and lyricist who wrote at least 51% of the music which had not been recorded previously....
  
   +

Music for Visual Media Field

• Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media +
• Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media
  Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
  The Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media has been awarded since 1960. Until 2001 the award was presented to the composer of the music alone. From 2001 to 2006, the producer and engineers shared in this award...
  
   +
• Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media
  Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
  The Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media has been awarded since 1988 and is awarded to songs written for films, television, video games or other visual media...
  
   +

Composing/Arranging Field

• Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition
  Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition
  The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition has been awarded since 1960. The award is presented to the composer of the music.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement
  Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement
  The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement has been awarded since 1963. The award is presented to the arranger of the music.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals
  Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
  The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist has been awarded since 1963. The award is presented to the arranger of the music.There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:...
  
  

Crafts Field

• Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
  Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
  The Grammy Award for Best Recording Package is one of a series of Grammy Awards presented for the visual look of an album. It is presented to the art director of the winning album, not to the performer, except if the performer is also the art director....
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Boxed/Special Limited Edition
  Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
  The Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package has been presented since 1995. The award has had several minor name changes:*From 1995 to 1997 the award was known as Best Recording Package - Boxed...
  
   +
• Grammy Award for Best Album Notes
  Grammy Award for Best Album Notes
  The Grammy Award for Best Album Notes has been presented since 1964. From 1973 to 1976, a separate award was presented for Best Album Notes - Classical. Those awards are listed under those years below. The award recognizes albums with excellent liner notes...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Historical Album
  Grammy Award for Best Historical Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Historical Album has been presented since 1979. During this time the award had several minor name changes:*In 1979 the award was known as Best Historical Repackage Album*In 1980 it was awarded as Best Historical Reissue...
  
  

Production Field

• Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album (Non-classical)
  Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
  The Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical has been awarded since 1959. The award had several minor name changes:*In 1959 the award was known as Best Engineered Record - Non-Classical...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Producer of the Year (Non-classical)
  Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
  The Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical has been awarded since 1975. The award had several minor name changes:*from 1975 to 1977, the award was known as Best Producer of the Year...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording
  Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
  The Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical is an honor presented to producers for quality remixed recordings at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
  
   +
• Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album
  Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album
  The Grammy Award for "Best Surround Sound Album" was first awarded in 2005, as the first category in a new "Surround Sound" field.-Nominees::*An Evening With Dave Grusin...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Classical
  Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Classical
  The Grammy Award for Best Engineered Recording, Classical has been awarded since 1959. The award had several minor name changes:*In 1959 the award was known as Best Engineered Record ...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Classical
  Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Classical
  The Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Classical is an honor presented to record producers for quality classical music productions at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
  
  

Classical Field

• Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance has been awarded since 1959. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*From 1959 to 1964 it was awarded as Best Classical Performance - Orchestra...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording
  Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording
  The Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording has been awarded since 1961. The award was originally titled Best Classical Opera Production. The current title has been used since 1962....
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance has been awarded since 1961. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:*In 1961 the award was known as Best Classical Performance - Choral ...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo
  Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo
  The Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo is a new category in the annual Grammy Awards ceremony from 2012.It combines the previous categories for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance and Best Instrumental Soloist Performance .The award goes to the instrumental soloist and to the...
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo
  Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo has been awarded since 1959. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:...
  
   +
• Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance
  Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance
  The Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance has been awarded since 1997. In its early years, its title included the addition ""....
  
   x
• Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition
  Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition
  The Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition was first awarded in 1961. This award was not presented from 1967 to 1984.The award has had several minor name changes:...
  
   +

Music Video Field

• Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
  Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
  The Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality short form music videos...
  
  
• Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video
  Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video
  The Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video is an accolade presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally named the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality videos or musical programs...
  
  

Discontinued Categories

Most abandoned categories simply merged with other existing categories. However, a few will be discontinued completely.

• Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album
  Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album was an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality works in the Latin jazz music genre...
  
  

According to the Recording Academy, "The distinction between Latin and non-Latin jazz was restructured, largely due to the very low number of entries in the Latin jazz category; these entries will go to Vocal Album, Instrumental Album or Large Jazz Ensemble Album, depending upon content."

• Grammy Award for Best Classical Album
  Grammy Award for Best Classical Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Classical Album was awarded from 1962 to 2011. The award had several minor name changes:*From 1962 to 1963, 1965 to 1972 and 1974 to 1976 the award was known as Album of the Year - Classical...
  
  

The Academy: "The decision was made to restructure the Best Classical Album because nearly all recipients of this distinction had also won in one of the other classical categories for the same album. The consolidations of this category will open the door for classical recordings to enter Album Of The Year."

• Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album
  Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album
  The Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album was awarded from 1999 to 2011.The award will be discontinued from 2012 in a major overhaul of Grammy categories. Basically, the Best Classical Crossover Album category will disappear. If a classical crossover release is a non-classical artist...
  
  

The Academy: "The classical crossover category was consolidated as it has often been viewed as an artificially constructed and/or consumer-confusing category. (Entries that may have lived here in the classical crossover will be screened into other classical, new age, pop, and various categories as deemed appropriate by screening committees.)"