Month: August 2022

Harry Styles celebrated the final show of his European Love On Tour dates on Sunday night (July 31) by bringing out Ellie Rowsell of the tour’s opening band, Wolf Alice, to perform a special duet of the British group’s song “No Hard Feelings.”

The “As It Was” singer is no stranger to a show-stopping duet, having shared the stage with stars from Lizzo and Shania Twain during his 2022 Coachella headlining sets, to Kacey Musgraves and Stevie Nicks.

We want to know who you’d like to see the 28-year-old crooner perform a duet with next. Maybe a rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Style” featuring Styles himself would break the Internet, or perhaps you’d like to see him perform with some of his idols or favorite artists, including Paul McCartney and King Princess.

Let us know your thoughts by voting below.

For the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be presented on Feb. 5, the Recording Academy announced five new awards it will hand out, including songwriter of the year, non-classical. 

With this award, the Academy is seeking mainly to recognize people who work primarily as songwriters, not as artists or producers. Due to the Academy’s established rules for the award, artists that primarily write their own music, like Taylor Swift or Adele, would be ineligible for the award in most cases, as would writer-producers like Max Martin. Some exceptions may occur, as you’ll see below. 

To be nominated for the award, songwriters need to submit at least five songs in which they are not a lead or featured recording artist, or listed as a producer, during the Grammys eligibility period. If they meet that threshold, they can then submit up to four more songs on which they write along with performing or producing. (Got all that? There will be a quiz at the end.) 

While we’ll never know who would have been nominated for songwriter of the year if the category existed at the launch of the live Grammy telecast in 1971, it’s fun to speculate. Here are our best guesses as to 12 people or teams who would have won in prior ceremonies. In all cases, we tried to adhere to the Grammys’ desired qualifications for the award — and to the specific eligibility periods for each Grammys year — as best we could with available information.  

(One other note: The Academy now disallows submissions of cover versions of songs that were first released prior to the eligibility year in question. But the Grammys didn’t always make that distinction. Some, like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1972), “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1989) and “Unforgettable” (1991) even won song of the year. Since the Grammys didn’t used to exclude cover versions, we’re not going to exclude them either in this exercise for some previous winners.) 

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

These 10 tracks from artists like Benson Boone, Hailee Steinfeld, Charli XCX and Ashe will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.

Ashe, “Shower With My Clothes On”

For Ashe, “Shower With My Clothes On” represents a sense of being trapped, a moment when the world is so suffocating that you can’t be comfortable in your own skin no matter the context. The “Moral of the Story” singer fills her latest single with ghostly details, as if she cannot find stability even when the hooks are pristinely conceived. – Jason Lipshutz

TSHA feat. Oumou Sangaré, “Water”

Fans of the late-‘00s alternative dance movement led by artists like Air France, The Tough Alliance and Delorean will appreciate London-based artist TSHA’s vibrant new track with Oumou Sangaré, which previews the upcoming album Capricorn Sun. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more euphoric moment this week than the 3:30 mark of “Water,” when the song’s slow build-up finally reaches its crescendo. – JL

Noah Guy, “2 Dogs 1 Leash”

“2 Dogs 1 Leash” is ostensibly an ode to relationship woes and murky futures by rising Philly native Noah Guy, but the track is brimming with ideas — listen to how the backing harmonies function as nagging questions that support Guy’s emotional pain before taking center stage, zipping over programmed beats and drowning out his clarity. Give him props for being both soulful and inventive here. – JL

Benson Boone, “Nights Like These”

Leading off his new Walk Me Home… EP, Benson’s Boone’s “Nights Like These” is a break-up song that helps you heal — from the first note, his voice effortlessly expresses the pain of acceptance. It’s perfect for a road trip playlist, especially for those headed to a new beginning.– Crystal B. Shepeard

Lauren Spencer-Smith, “Narcissist”

Lauren Spencer-Smith’s “Narcisssist” is the sound of your best friend reassuring you that you aren’t crazy. After her breakthrough hit “Fingers Crossed” and follow-up “Flowers,” Spencer-Smith is crafting lyrics that will sound familiar to those who love someone who can’t love you back, and soundtrack the healing. – CBS

MAX, “Wasabi”

Max’s “Wasabi” — released ahead of his North American headline dates this fall — blends the rhythm of ‘70s R&B with electronica club vibes. It’s sexy, it’s fun, and the perfect reminder to always dance it off. – CBS

Hailee Steinfeld feat. Anderson .Paak, “Coast”

The first taste of new music in two years from pop star Hailee Steinfeld is intriguingly less shiny than previous hits, instead opting for laid-back, breezy production. Perfect for the end of summer as the days begin to cool down, “Coast” finds Steinfeld and first-time collaborator Anderson .Paak bottle up the feeling of a relationship’s casual beginnings, with Steinfeld singing, “Relax and let the riptide pull you close,” as if wanting to absorb all the season has to offer before it comes to an end. – Lyndsey Havens

Precious, “Curious”

The latest from rising artist Precious, a Nigerian-American pop singer-songwriter based in Tennessee, shows off her crisp and airy vocal range, which nicely contrasts the song’s punchier production. Living up to its name, “Curious” clocks in at a quick two minutes, leaving listeners eager for more to come from the emerging artist. – LH

Quarters of Change, “Sex”

The New York City-based, four-piece alternative band Quarters of Change has released their debut album, Into the Rift, after sharing a slew of singles throughout the year. With the arrival of the new LP, slow-burning, psychedelic track “Sex” highlights the depths of the group’s range as musicians. Ben Roters delivers the lyrics with a languid flair, that builds to a euphoric crescendo at the chorus evocative of the blissful — and deeply intimate — moments shared with a lover. – Starr Bowenbank

Charli XCX, “Hot Girl (Bodies Bodies Bodies)”

Charli XCX and party music go together like bread and butter, and new track “Hot Girl (Bodies Bodies Bodies)” — her second offering this year about looking good and being unattainable (see: “Hot In It” with Tiësto) — is no exception. The song, which is set to be featured in A24’s new horror/comedy film Bodies Bodies Bodies, sees the pop artist talking smack over a booming bass that’s perfect for the night club or blasting at full volume from car speakers, pick your poison. – SB

Over the past decade, only one video-game soundtrack, for the 2012 title Journey, has received a Grammy nod, for best score soundtrack for visual media. That number could increase fivefold this year thanks to the addition of a new category: best score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media.

While video-game scores may not be as mainstream as those of TV and film, renowned composers like Hans Zimmer and Michael Giacchino have validated the relevance and importance of video-game music, contributing scores for popular franchises like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor. “People have come to realize that game music is serious music,” says Brian Schmidt, president of the Game Audio Network Guild. “Modern video games have scores that, in addition to serving as the emotional foundation of many games, reflect the incredible artistry of the composers, producers, performers and other artists involved in its creation. It’s thrilling to see the Recording Academy recognize video-game music as the unique art form that it has become.”

This year could see a handful of newer names making a mark in video-game music. Some of 2022’s most likely candidates to receive nominations in the new category will be the soundtracks to Horizon Forbidden West, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and God of War Ragnarök.

Schmidt has been advocating for this inclusion for decades, first approaching the academy in 1999 to discuss a Grammy category — and credits the field’s growing popularity as the reason for why this is the year the academy has finally recognized video-game music. “Today,” he says, “artists record covers of game music, symphony orchestras play concerts of game music, and fans flock to conventions dedicated to game music.”

This story originally appeared in the July 30, 2022, issue of Billboard.

When the nominations for the 65th annual Grammy Awards are announced Nov. 15, Adele, Beyoncé, Silk Sonic and Harry Styles could each wind up competing for album, record and song of the year. Adele, Beyoncé and Silk Sonic’s Bruno Mars have each swept those three nominations twice before, but this would be Styles’ first nod in any of those marquee categories.

For now, there is only one thing that’s for sure: There will be 10 nominees in each of the Big Four categories for the second year in a row. Below are Billboard’s best bets for who will be in the running.

Album of the Year

Three British pop superstars — Adele, Ed Sheeran and Styles — are apt to be nominated. They will likely face off against Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, who are still looking for their first wins in this category. The big question mark is Taylor Swift, whose Red (Taylor’s Version) could become the first rerecording of an artist’s album to be nominated for album of the year.

Adele
30

This would be Adele’s third consecutive album to be nominated in this category. She won with her last two studio albums, 21 and 25. 30 has spawned two top five hits on the Billboard Hot 100 — “Easy on Me” and “Oh My God.” Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (its first six weeks)

Bad Bunny
Un Verano Sin Ti

This project is vying to become the first Spanish-language album to receive an album of the year nod. Bad Bunny won Grammys in each of the last two years with YHLQMDLG (best Latin pop or urban album) and El Último Tour del Mundo (best música urbana album). Four songs from Un Verano Sin Ti made the top 10 on the Hot 100. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (seven weeks so far)

Beyoncé
Renaissance

Released July 29, Renaissance would be Beyoncé’s fourth album to be nominated in this category, following I Am… Sasha Fierce (2009), Beyoncé (2014) and Lemonade (2016). She would become the first woman of color to receive four album of the year nods as a lead artist.

Brandi Carlile
In These Silent Days

This would be Carlile’s second album in a row to be nominated in this category. Its lead single, “Right On Time,” was nominated last year for record and song of the year. Billboard 200 peak: No. 11

Kendrick Lamar
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

This would be Lamar’s fourth studio album to be nominated in this category, which would tie Ye (aka Kanye West) for the most by a rapper. Four songs from Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers made the top 10 on the Hot 100. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (one week)

Ed Sheeran
=

This would be Sheeran’s second nod in this category. Two songs from =, “Bad Habits” and “Shivers,” made the top five on the Hot 100. “Bad Habits” was nominated last year for song of the year. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (one week)

Silk Sonic
An Evening With Silk Sonic

“Leave the Door Open,” the debut hit by the retro-soul duo of Mars and Anderson .Paak, won four awards at the 64th annual Grammys in April. An Evening With Silk Sonic won album of the year at the BET Awards in June. The project spawned two top five hits on the Hot 100, “Leave the Door Open” and “Smokin’ Out the Window.” Billboard 200 peak: No. 2

Harry Styles
Harry’s House

Two years ago, Styles’ smash “Watermelon Sugar” won best pop solo vocal performance, but he is overdue for a nod in a Big Four category. Four songs from Harry’s House made the top 10 on the Hot 100. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (two weeks)

Taylor Swift
Red (Taylor’s Version)

This would be Swift’s sixth nomination in this category, which would tie Barbra Streisand for the most nods by a female artist. Moreover, it would be the third year in a row Swift has been nominated — the most consecutive years with a nod in this category since Lady Gaga three-peated from 2009 to 2011. Swift’s original Red was nominated nine years ago. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (one week)

Various Artists
Encanto film soundtrack

This is vying to become the first soundtrack to an animated movie to be nominated in this category since Beauty and the Beast 30 years ago. The album produced two top five hits on the Hot 100 — “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.” Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (nine weeks)

Within Reach: Drake, Honestly, Nevermind; Future, I Never Liked You; Elton John, The Lockdown Sessions; Miranda Lambert, Palomino; Lizzo, Special; Post Malone, Twelve Carat Toothache; Bonnie Raitt, Just Like That…; Rosalía, Motomami; Summer Walker, Still Over It; The Weeknd, Dawn FM

Song of the Year

Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version),” an expanded take of a song from her 2012 album, Red, may not be eligible, though the Academy hasn’t made a final ruling. The rules state: “A song … must have been released on a recording for the first time, or achieved prominence for the first time, during the current eligibility year.” Last year, seven of the 10 works that were nominated for record of the year were also nominated for song of the year. This year, it looks like six could be up for both awards.

“About Damn Time”
Songwriters: Blake Slatkin, Eric Frederic, Larry Price, Malcolm McLaren, Melissa Jefferson, Ronald Larkins, Stephen Hague, Theron Makiel Thomas

This would be the second nod in this category for Jefferson (aka Lizzo) and Frederic, who were both also co-writers of “Truth Hurts.”

“As It Was”
Songwriters: Harry Styles, Thomas Hull, Tyler Johnson

This would be Styles’ first nomination in a songwriting category. His three nominations two years ago were for best pop solo performance (which he won), best pop vocal album and best music video.

“Boyfriend”
Songwriters: Delacey, Dove Cameron, Evan Blair, Skyler Stonestreet

This sultry single with a provocative lyric has helped Cameron leave her Disney Channel image behind. This would be the second year in a row that a song with an LGBTQ+ overtone was nominated in this category. Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” was nominated last year.

“Break My Soul”
Songwriters: Beyoncé Knowles, Shawn Carter, Freddie Ross, Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, Allen George, Fred McFarlane, Adam Pigott

Beyoncé, Nash and Stewart were among the writers of “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” which won this category 13 years ago. This would be Beyoncé’s fifth nod in this category.

“Easy On Me”
Songwriters: Adele Adkins, Greg Kurstin

Adele and Kurstin won in this category six years ago for co-writing “Hello.” Adele previously won for co-writing “Rolling in the Deep,” and Kurstin was previously nominated for co-writing Kelly Clarkson’s smash “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You).”

“First Class”
Songwriters: Jackman Harlow, Jasper Harris, Douglas Ford, Rogét Chahayed, José Velazquez, Micaiah Raheem, Nickie Jon Pabón, Ryan Vojtesak, Stacy Ferguson, Jamal Jones, Will Adams, Elvis Williams, Christopher Bridges

This would be Chahayed’s second nomination in this category. He received his first nod last year for writing Doja Cat and SZA’s “Kiss Me More.”

“Glimpse Of Us”
Songwriters: George Miller, Joel Castillo, Alexis Kesselman, Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough

The recording by Miller (aka Joji) entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 10 on the strength of heavy TikTok activity. If enough voters hear it, this poignant ballad could have a shot at a nod.

“Numb Little Bug”
Songwriters: Em Beihold, Nick Lopez, Dru DeCaro

This song’s whimsical nature belies the serious points it makes about mental health. Grammy voters often respond to songs with such lyrics, with nominations in this category in recent years for Logic’s “1-800-273-8255” (featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid) and Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood.”

“Smokin’ Out the Window”
Songwriters: Bruno Mars, Brandon Anderson, Dernst Emile II

If this is nominated, Mars will tie Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie for the most nods in this category (six). Mars, Anderson (aka Anderson .Paak) and Emile (aka D’Mile) are the reigning champs in this category for “Leave the Door Open.” In addition, D’Mile won the previous year for co-writing H.E.R.’s Black Lives Matter anthem, “I Can’t Breathe.”

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno”
Songwriter: Lin-Manuel Miranda

This would be Miranda’s first nomination in this category, as well as the first song penned by only one songwriter to be nominated since Taylor Swift’s “Lover” three years ago.

Within Reach: “Enemy,” Imagine Dragons and JID; “Fingers Crossed,” Lauren Spencer-Smith; “Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long; “I Hate U,” SZA; “Love Me More,” Sam Smith; “MAMIII,” Becky G featuring Karol G; “N95,” Kendrick Lamar; “Sweetest Pie,” Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa; “Wait 4 U,” Future featuring Drake & Tems; “Woman,” Doja Cat

Record of the Year

Six hits that would have been strong contenders in this category were released prior to Oct. 1, 2021, the start of the eligibility year. As such, they aren’t eligible, though live or alternate recordings of the songs may be. Those hits are Latto’s “Big Energy,” Lil Nas X’s “Thats What I Want,” Ed Sheeran’s “Shivers,” Justin Bieber’s “Ghost,” Doja Cat’s “Need To Know” and GAYLE’s “abcdefu.”

Adele, “Easy On Me”

This tender piano ballad will almost certainly lead to Adele’s fourth nomination in this category, following nods for “Chasing Pavements,” “Rolling in the Deep” and “Hello.” “Easy on Me” topped the Hot 100 for 10 weeks, one of only two singles to stay on top that long in this eligibility period.

Becky G Featuring Karol G, “MAMIII”

This would be the first all-Latin collaboration to be nominated. It would also be the third all-female pairing to get the nod in as many years, following Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” (featuring Beyoncé) and Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” (featuring SZA). Hot 100 peak: No. 15

Beyoncé, “Break My Soul”

This dance smash would be Beyoncé’s eighth single to be nominated in this category, which would set a new record. She’s tied for the lead with Frank Sinatra with seven nods each. Hot 100 peak: No. 7 (so far)

Doja Cat, “Woman”

This song could put Doja in record of the year contention for a third consecutive year following nods for “Say So” and “Kiss Me More.” Doja would be only the third woman in Grammy history to land three straight nominations in this category, following Roberta Flack (1972-74) and Billie Eilish (2019-21). Hot 100 peak: No. 7

Jack Harlow, “First Class”

This smash, which interpolates Fergie’s “Glamorous,” could lead to Harlow’s first record of the year nod. His previous hits “Whats Poppin” and “Industry Baby” (a collaboration with Lil Nas X) were nominated in rap performance categories. Hot 100 peak: No. 1 (three weeks)

Imagine Dragons & JID, “Enemy”

This rock-rap fusion, from the animated streaming series Arcane, would be the first song from a TV show to be nominated. This also would be Imagine Dragons’ second nod in this category; the band was in contention nine years ago for “Radioactive.” Hot 100 peak: No. 5

Lizzo, “About Damn Time”

This smash, which could have slid right into a 1979 disco playlist, has the flirty, playful sound and positive energy that have become Lizzo’s trademarks. It could bring her a second nod in this category, after she was nominated three years ago for her breakthrough hit, “Truth Hurts.” Hot 100 peak: No. 1

Silk Sonic, “Smokin’ Out the Window”

Silk Sonic was victorious for both record and song of the year with “Leave the Door Open.” The duo could return to the finals in both categories with this hit. This would be Bruno Mars’ seventh record of the year nomination and Anderson .Paak’s second. Hot 100 peak: No. 5.

Harry Styles, “As It Was”

On this sleek global smash, Styles projects the confidence and ease of an artist hitting his commercial and creative peak. Styles is vying to join such other boy band alums as Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin and Justin Timberlake with a solo nod in this category. Hot 100 peak: No. 1 (10 weeks)

Taylor Swift, “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)”

This would be Swift’s fifth nod in this category and her first since “Blank Space” seven years ago. “All Too Well” broke the record held by Don McLean’s “American Pie” for nearly five decades as the longest song to top the Hot 100, where it ruled for one week.

Within Reach: Em Beihold, “Numb Little Bug”; Dove Cameron, “Boyfriend”; Future featuring Drake & Tems, “Wait 4 U”; Joji, “Glimpse of Us”; Kendrick Lamar, “N95”; Muni Long, “Hrs & Hrs”; Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa, “Sweetest Pie”; Lauren Spencer-Smith, “Fingers Crossed”; SZA, “I Hate U”; Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz and cast of Encanto, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”

Best New Artist

This contest seems more wide open than in the last three years, when Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and Olivia Rodrigo, respectively, were clear favorites. As past Grammy nominees, Tems, Walker Hayes, Big Thief and Chlöe are ineligible. Though the hits by GAYLE and Latto were released prior to this eligibility year, the academy has shown a bit more flexibility in this category in an effort to be inclusive.

Em Beihold

Beihold, 23, cracked the top 20 on the Hot 100 with “Numb Little Bug.” She received attention on TikTok for her songs “City of Angels” and “Groundhog Day,” which led to her signing with Republic Records in January.

Zach Bryan

Bryan’s third studio album, American Heartbreak, reached No. 1 on Top Country Albums and No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The album’s fifth single, “Something in the Orange,” climbed to No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. Bryan would be the third male country artist to be nominated in this category in the past five years, following Luke Combs and Jimmie Allen.

Dove Cameron

The Grammy screening committee may have a lively debate regarding whether Cameron should be considered a new artist, due to her extensive previous work on Disney Channel projects. It may adhere to the usual Grammy philosophy in this category — to err on the side of inclusiveness. Such recent nominees as Alessia Cara, Megan Thee Stallion and Jimmie Allen weren’t entirely new when they were recognized.

GAYLE

GAYLE reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 with the witty “abcdefu,” a takedown of everything she wouldn’t miss about her no-good former boyfriend. (She spared his dog.) GAYLE is just 18, the same age as three major artists who were nominated in the past few years: Billie Eilish, The Kid LAROI and Olivia Rodrigo.

Latto

Latto won best new artist at the BET Awards in June. She’s vying to become the fifth artist to win in this category at both shows, following Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sam Smith and Chance the Rapper. Latto’s “Big Energy” reached No. 3 on the Hot 100. Her second album, 777, hit No. 15 on the Billboard 200.

The Linda Lindas

This all-female punk-rock band won best punk record at the Libera Awards in June for “Racist, Sexist Boy.” Its members are all between 11 and 17, which is similar to Hanson, whose members were between 12 and 17 when they were nominated in this category 25 years ago.

Muni Long

Long’s breakthrough this year with the sensuous ballad “Hrs & Hrs” (which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100) was a long time coming: She has been releasing records since 2009. Until this year, she was best-known as a writer for other artists. Her co-writes include Pitbull’s “Timber” (featuring Kesha), Fifth Harmony’s “Worth It” and Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood’s “Somethin’ Bad.”

Lauren Spencer-Smith

This British-born Canadian artist had a top 20 hit on the Hot 100 with “Fingers Crossed.” Spencer-Smith is just 18, the same age as GAYLE. If both receive nods, this will be the first time two female solo teens were nominated in the same year since Avril Lavigne and Michelle Branch 20 years ago.

Wet Leg

The British indie-rock band was founded in 2019 by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers. Their eponymous debut album, featuring the viral hit “Chaise Longue,” reached No. 14 on the Billboard 200. Wet Leg won two trophies at the Libera Awards — breakthrough artist/release and video of the year, both for “Chaise Longue.” Wet Leg and The Linda Lindas may be the only groups to receive nominations. That’s par for the course. The last time there were more than two bands in the running was 2012.

Lainey Wilson

Wilson’s single “Things a Man Oughta Know” reached No. 1 on Country Airplay, No. 3 on Hot Country Songs and No. 32 on the Hot 100. She won two awards at the Academy of Country Music Awards in March: new female artist of the year and song of the year for “Things a Man Oughta Know.”

Within Reach: Omar Apollo, Eslabon Armado, Blxst, CKay, Jnr Choi, Mitski, PinkPantheress, Morgan Wade, Mimi Webb, Bailey Zimmerman

This story originally appeared in the July 30, 2022, issue of Billboard.

Veteran pop singer-songwriter Autumn Rowe recalls how she “smiled the entire day” when the Recording Academy announced the addition of a songwriter of the year, non-classical award in June. While producers have been honored with their own producer of the year category dating back to 1975, recognition for songwriters for their full year’s body of work had yet to be seen in the Grammys’ 65-year history — and it’s happening at a crucial time in the music industry.

“Songwriters are at a critical point where we are working harder than ever and being valued the least when it comes to monetization,” says Rowe, an album of the year honoree at the 2022 Grammys thanks to her contributions to Jon Batiste’s winning We Are. “Although this award would’ve been appreciated sooner, it’s also somewhat perfect timing — we need everyone to rally behind and beside us advocating for the value we bring.”

The urgency of the category’s introduction is one understood by both Evan Bogart — chair of the academy’s new Songwriters & Composers Wing who helped lead the charge in drafting the proposal for the new award and ensuring it passed — and by academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., who also was a successful songwriter earlier in his career. “It’s something that has been talked about for as long as I can remember at the academy — ‘acknowledging the craft of songwriting’ — [which is] obviously part of the bedrock of our whole music ecosystem,” says Mason.

The academy has long acknowledged songwriters through the trophies for song-awarded categories, with best rock song, best rap song and, of course, the all-genre song of the year going to the composers. In 2018, songwriters for albums nominated for album of the year were also added as honorees if they contributed to at least 33% of the project’s playing time, with that being expanded at the 2022 ceremony to include every credited songwriter of new material on an album.

So far, Mason and Bogart (who is also a Grammy-winning songwriter and CEO of independent publisher Seeker Music) say the songwriting community has greeted the award with overwhelming excitement and positivity. But it’s possible some songwriters whose roles are not focused entirely (or even primarily) on their writing might have mixed emotions when they read the award’s fine print.

To qualify, writers “must have written a minimum of five songs in which they are credited ‘solely’ as a songwriter or co-writer” — further explaining that “songs in which the songwriter was also credited as a primary or featured artist, producer or any other supporting role do not qualify to achieve a minimum song threshold for consideration.” (If writers do have enough compositions to meet the threshold, they can submit an additional four songs for consideration in which they were credited as a producer or performer.)

In other words, songwriters who perform the majority of their compositions — like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Drake — would not be eligible for the award, unless they also had a minimum of five outside contributions for other performers. Similarly, writers who often produce on most of their compositions — like Jack Antonoff, Dan Nigro or Lin-Manuel Miranda — may also be ineligible, unless they had five songs they wrote for but did not produce on.

Bogart explains that the award was designed in this way to ensure that the honor remained focused on songwriting and prevented big hybrid names from otherwise dominating the category. “We were able to strike the right balance and tone between people who are professional songwriters, who wake up every day and think about crafting songs for artists, and not just make this another award for a producer or an artist to win,” he says. “We wanted to really honor the people that the songwriting community would largely look at as songwriters first.”

However, some writers aren’t convinced this is a realistic view of their role in the current industry. “That feels like a very old-fashioned way of thinking,” says country songwriter-producer Shane McAnally, one of Nashville’s preeminent hitmakers for the past decade-plus. “That in order to be recognized as a true songwriter, you should be sitting with a pen and paper and a single instrument somewhere ‘writing’ a song without technology or without influence with the artist. But the thing is, songs don’t get recorded that way anymore.”

The award might also present a challenge for Grammy viewers, who might not be immediately familiar with the award’s qualifications and end up incredulous over their favorite artist — or that artist’s most regular collaborators — being excluded. “The nominees will come out and some glaring omission will be there and people will go, ‘Why isn’t Brandi Carlile nominated?’ ” says McAnally. Mason says the academy is aware of these concerns: “That’s something we’ll be working on with our comms team and awards team,” he says of ensuring the award has the right “messaging” for the average viewer.

Moving forward, the academy will be flexible about the qualifications. “We want to service people the way they feel is right, not just the way we feel is right — and we’re a membership organization,” Mason says. “If people feel like, ‘This needs to be tweaked,’ we’ll keep looking at it.”

Adds Rowe: “I have no idea who will be nominated for this first year of the award, but I can say I will be watching and rooting because this is a win for us all.”

Beyoncé will replace an offensive lyric on her just-released Renaissance album after a line in the track “Heated” drew backlash from users on social media. A spokesperson for the singer told Billboard in a statement on Monday morning (Aug. 1) that “the word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.”

At press time, it appeared the recorded version — which includes the offending lyric — was still available on Apple Music and Spotify. In the uptempo dance song, Beyoncé drops into a frenzied, explicit sex rap near the end in which she growls, “Yadda yadda yah, yadda yaddah yah,yah/ Yadda yadda yadda, bom bom, kah kah/ Spazzin’ on that a–/ Spaz on that a–/ Fan me quick, girl, I need my glass.”

The medical condition the slang term derives from is “spastic,” which refers to a “condition in which muscles stiffen or tighten, preventing normal fluid movement.” In addition to blowback on social media, disability advocate and writer Hannah Diviney wrote an op-ed in The Guardian on Monday (Aug. 1) in which she said that her “heart sank” when she heard the Renaissance lyric. “It’s not very often that I don’t know what to say, rendered speechless by ignorance, sadness and a simmering anger born of bone-deep exhaustion. But that’s how I feel right now,” Diviney said, noting that it’s been just six weeks since she called out Lizzo for using the same word on her Special song “Grrrls.”

“That tweet of mine – which explained how the slur was connected to my disability, cerebral palsy – took me less than five minutes to write and it went viral, landing on the front page of global news outlets including the BBC, New York Times and the Washington Post,” Diviney said of the comment that resulted in Lizzo apologizing for using the offensive term and then changing the lyric.

At the time, Lizzo said she was “proud” of her “listening and taking action” after hearing Diviney’s callout. At press time, it did not appear the Beyoncé had personally responded to the outrage, which Diviney wrote she thought was a thing of the past. “I thought we’d changed the music industry and started a global conversation about why ableist language – intentional or not – has no place in music,” Diviney wrote. “But I guess I was wrong, because now Beyoncé has gone and done exactly the same thing,” she added about “Heated,” which counts Drake as a co-writer.

“I found out by way of a snarky mention on Twitter asking if I planned to tell Queen Bey to ‘do better’ like I had with Lizzo. My heart sank. Here we were again, but this time the stakes feel higher. Calling this one out is a whole other level. Whenever Beyoncé so much as breathes it becomes a cultural moment,” Diviney continued.

“Beyoncé’s commitment to storytelling musically and visually is unparalleled, as is her power to have the world paying attention to the narratives, struggles and nuanced lived experience of being a black woman – a world I can only ever understand as an ally, and have no desire to overshadow,” she added. “But that doesn’t excuse her use of ableist language – language that gets used and ignored all too often. Language you can be sure I will never ignore, no matter who it comes from or what the circumstances are.”

While the Beyhive exploded with excitement over the weekend about the dance-heavy collection, it has already garnered some additional backlash from singer Kelis, who vented her frustration last week about not being informed that her frequently sampled 2003 single “Milkshake” was interpolated on the Renaissance song “Energy.”

While Kelis appeared to be stung by what she considered a lack of professional courtesy from Queen Bey in allegedly not reaching out to inform her about the “Milkshake” mash-in, legal experts noted that because Kelis was the performer, but not the composer producer, on  the song, there was no legal requirement to give a heads up.

Beyoncé is keeping the party vibes going following the release of her new album, Renaissance. On Monday (Aug. 1), the pop singer released a visual for lead single “Break My Soul.”

The visual features a billboard of the pop star wearing a black bodysuit with furry black sleeves, black heels, and an ornate black hat as the word “RENAISSANCE” in all caps glows to the beat in neon blue. “Break My Soul” is currently No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 30.

The new visualizer comes amid backlash for the the 27-time Grammy winner for using the word “spaz” on Renaissance track “Heated.” A representative for Beyoncé told Variety that “the word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.”

Renaissance also leaked two days ahead of its scheduled July 29 release, prompting the 40-year-old to share a letter with the fans who waited until release day to stream the album.

“So, the album leaked and you all actually waited until the proper release time so you all can enjoy it together,” Beyoncé wrote. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t thank yall enough for your love and protection. I appreciate you for calling out anyone that was trying to sneak into the club early. It means the world to me.”

“Thank you for your unwavering support,” she continued. “Thank you for being patient. We are going to take out time and Enjoy the music. I will continue to give my all and do my best to bring you joy.” She concluded the heartfelt message with, “I Love You Deep.”

Watch the visualizer for “Break My Soul” below.