Trapital What's a Grammy Worth? New Voters, New Winners, and Rewriting History
Nov 13, 2025
This discussion dives into the fascinating dynamics of the Grammy Awards, highlighting the rise of international artists like Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar's nominations. Guests analyze the evolution of the voting body and its attempts to diversify, touching on how past winners might have changed under a new system. Economic impacts of Grammy wins are unveiled, revealing how winners experience significant boosts in both income and touring opportunities. The conversation also imagines alternative outcomes for iconic past nominees, sparking lively debates on cultural shifts.
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International Music Moves Centerstage
- The 2026 nominations show a clear international shift with Bad Bunny and K-pop represented in major categories.
- Hip-hop's strength appears sustained, highlighted by three rap albums nominated for Album of the Year for the first time.
This Year's Noms Feel Less 'Of The Moment'
- Tati Cirisano felt this year's nominations were less 'of the moment' compared to last year, with fewer breakout cultural moments.
- She also highlighted growing genre-blurring challenges for awards categorization as artists cross styles.
Diversified Voters, Different Outcomes
- Panos Panay emphasized the Recording Academy's deliberate effort to diversify the voting body over the last five years.
- He said nominations now better reflect global music trends and a broader creator base across roles.
