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The reggaetonists' request to the Latin Grammy 2:20
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(CNN Spanish) - The Latin Recording Academy, the governing body of the Latin Grammy, announced this week to its members the inclusion of three new categories for the 21st edition of the awards.
Among them is reggaeton, which officially will have a category within the field of urban music: Best Reggaeton Performance.
The other two new categories are: Best Pop / Rock Song and Best Rap / Hip Hop Song, the latter includes trap work.
“Following our mission to nurture and uplift Latin music and its creators, and after multiple meetings and comments from our members, we are delighted that our Board of Trustees has approved some modifications to our Awards Process, including the creation of new categories The Latin Grammy's told Zona Pop CNN through a press release.
The announcement comes six months after a group of reggaetonists protested with the hashtag #SinReggaetonNoHayLatinGrammys for what they said was lack of representation in the nominations for the twentieth award ceremony.
Back then, the Academy urged reggaeton players to get involved with the selection and voting processes for record works.
“The Academy has never influenced its decisions and has always adhered to and respected its selections, even when there are people who do not agree with the results. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are always open to hearing discontent and constructive criticism. We invite urban / reggaeton community leaders to get involved with the Academy, participate in the process, and participate in debates that improve the Academy, ”said the Latin Grammy in September 2019.
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The Academy also unveiled the new online recording work registration process, one way, they say, of reducing physical interaction.
The news comes amid the global crisis from the coronavirus pandemic.
“While the Latin Recording Academy's primary concern is everyone's health and safety during these extraordinary times, we are pleased to announce these new categories in addition to the launch of our Online Entry Process that reduces physical interaction. These changes continue our ongoing commitment to honor excellence in Latin music and, unless there are new health measures to adopt, we look forward to celebrating our 21st Annual Latin GRAMMY® Award this year, ”added the Academy.
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The Academy will accept links from streaming platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, Tidal, Bandcamp and YouTube Music.
Voting members will still need access to the physical product for the Packaging Design, Producer of the Year and Long Version Music Video categories, according to the Academy.
The letter to members of the Academy indicates that "the first round of online registration will now begin on April 6, 2020 and end on April 20, 2020. You will have 15 days to submit your product electronically."
The Latin Grammy ceremony is usually held the second week of November in Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, the date for the twenty-first edition of the awards has not been officially announced.
Latin GrammyLatin Grammy