Latin Grammy Awards Adds New Categories, Field For Winners 

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira collectively have more Grammy nods for their music than they have wins. 

Perhaps with the new categories introduced by the Latin Recording Academy for the Latin Grammy Awards, they can fare much better. Variety reports that a completely new field along with two categories are being introduced for the next show.

Here are the Newest Parts of the Latin Grammys

Visual Media is the latest field to join the Latin Grammy Award fray for recognition. In order to be considered Visual Media, the music has to elevate the experience of the viewer in whatever medium (movies, video games, etc.) in which the music is being utilized. The category that comes along with it is Best Music For Visual Media.

Best Roots Song will also become a part of the show. This award is specifically for songwriters who produced “new, unpublished recordings” that mirror traditions of particularly Hispanic American communities, including those speaking Spanish, Portuguese, indigenous or other languages.

Read the Rules for the Newest Additions

New Field: Visual Media
New Category: Best Music For Visual Media

This includes music that, through its creativity and originality, significantly enriches the narrative and atmosphere of movies, series, documentaries, video games, and other visual media, elevating the viewer’s experience. For a project to participate in this category, it must: A) feature Latin rhythms recognized as genres participating in the annual Latin GRAMMY awards; or B) be composed by someone of Ibero-American descent. A fundamental condition is that the music be original and created specifically for the visual media project. To qualify, the total duration of the production must be at least 15 minutes of the original music and not different versions of it, and it can include songs with lyrics and vocals in Spanish, Portuguese, and/or regional dialects, or it can be instrumental. The statuette is presented to: Composer(s) and Artist(s) with significant contributions, Producer(s), Arranger(s), Recording Engineer(s) and Mixing Engineer(s) for 51% or more of the total recording time of the album.

New Category 
Best Roots Song – Singles or Tracks Only (Traditional Field)

This award is given to the songwriters of new, unpublished recordings, both vocal and instrumental, that reflect the traditions and roots of various communities, cultures, or social groups, especially those of Hispanic American origin, whether in Spanish, Portuguese or in indigenous languages or dialects. Eligible genres include tango, folk, flamenco, and other traditional subgenres, excluding tropical music and its derivatives, and must be in Spanish, Portuguese or in indigenous languages or dialects. If another language is included, the recording must contain at least 60% of its lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese or in an indigenous language, be completely original, and have been released during the current eligibility period. The recording can be part of an album (tracks) or presented as a single. Covers, remixes, and recordings that use interpolation or samples from other previously released recordings will not be considered. The award is given to the songwriter(s), and Special Certificates (Publisher’s Certificates) are awarded to the music publishers.