With a move that was highly past due, the Grammy Awards have finally changed the name of their “Best Urban Contemporary Album” award. The category has been renamed “Best Progressive R&B Album,” and that change will be reflected for their award ceremony in 2021.
According to a press release, the move is intended “to describe the merit or characteristics of music compositions or performances themselves.” The announcement made no references to the criticism that the category has received over the years, but considering there is a massive civil rights movement happening around the world, the move cannot be a coincidence.
The category was first introduce in 2013, and winners since then have included Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, and most recently, Lizzo.
Although many of us were looking for an acknowledgement of the widespread criticism, we’re glad to see that some change is being enacted within the highly organization.