LATIN GRAMMYS ADD SONGWRITER AWARD

The Latin Grammys have followed the lead of the Grammys by adding a Songwriter of the Year category.

The Latin Recording Academy has also added Best Singer-Songwriter Song for singles or tracks from an album competing in the Singer-Songwriter Album category and Best Portuguese-Language Urban Performance.

“Our priority is to effectively represent all the Latin-music creators we serve,” said Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud. “We are excited to present these new categories reflecting the constant evolution of our music.”

The Songwriter of the Year award is part of the new Songwriting Field. To be eligible, songwriters must have to their credit a minimum of six newly written songs in which they are credited as a songwriter or co-writer and are not the performer, producer or engineer.

The Latin Academy has also made adjustments to three categories.

For Album of the Year, albums must contain at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. Producers, engineers, mixers, mastering engineers and songwriters must be credited on at least 33% of the playing time to receive the award with the artist.

In Song categories, the date of composition must be included when product is submitted for award consideration.

For Best Engineered Album, the award goes to recording engineers and mixing engineers credited with at least 33% of the album and mastering engineers credited with at least 51% of the album in the Production Field.

The online entry process for this year’s Latin Grammys opens Thursday (3/23). The 24th annual Latin Grammy Awards will take place in November..