The Grammys often talk about honoring an artist’s intent. Their screening committee did just that in at least two cases this year, allowing Beyoncé ’s Cowboy Carter to compete for best country album, and Dolly Parton ’s Rockstar to compete for best rock album. Both albums could have been slotted in the best pop vocal album category, but the Grammys went along with the artists’ intentions.
Albums often wind up right on the border between two or more genres. That’s bound to happen more and more as artists increasingly cross genre lines. In those cases, the Recording Academy’s screening committee endeavors to put it in the most suitable category.
Here are more albums whose placement was less-than-certain. Jimmy Buffett ’s last studio album, Equal Strain on All Parts , is entered for best Americana album, rather than best pop vocal album. Buffett died in September 2023.
Charli XCX ’s sixth studio album, brat , is entered for best dance/electronic album rather than best pop vocal album. Doja Cat ’s Scarlet 2 Claude , a reissue of her fourth studio album, Scarlet , is entered for best rap album rather than best pop vocal album. Twisters: The Album is entered for best compilation soundtrack for visual media rather than best country album.
All three Latin albums that made the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the eligibility period are entered in different categories. Bad Bunny’s Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana is entered for best música urbana album. Kali .