By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --The Grammys are adding a special song for social change award and five new categories including songwriter of the year, giving the Recording Academy an avenue to honor music's best composer.
The academy announced Thursday that the new non-classical songwriter category will recognize one individual who was the "most prolific" non-performing and non-producing songwriter for a body of new work during an eligibility year. The category is taking a different approach than song of the year, which awards the songwriter or songwriters who wrote the lyrics or melodies to one song.
"This new category is truly for an expert person at the songwriting craft," said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Songwriters must have written a minimum of five songs in which they are credited "solely" as a songwriter or co-writer.
"Somebody who writes their own music and records it would not be eligible," he said. "They would have to be doing songs for others. We want to highlight the craft of writing songs professionally for artists."
"Songwriters are at the heart of our business and industry," he said. "Nothing happens without songwriters. For us, this was a no brainer. It's in alignment with all the changes. We thought, 'How can we do more? Showcase more people and be more inclusive to different genres?'"
The new category is another huge step for songwriters. Last year, a rule update allowed that any songwriter, producer, engineer or featured artist on an album nominated for album of the year could ultimately earn a nomination.
The four other categories include best spoken word poetry album, alternative music performance, Americana music performance and score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media.
The academy created a special merit award that determines best song for social change. The award will be based on lyrical content that addresses a timely social issue and promotes "understanding, peacebuilding and empathy."
"It's always the right time to recognize music that's changing the world," he said. "I think it deserves a special recognition. These songs are important and impactful. We want to make sure we're honoring and celebrating that artform. This is a great way to do that."
Mason said it was yearlong process of accepting proposals to make changes, additions and updates from music creators and professionals that make up the membership body.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More