The Recording Academy is calling for submissions for the “Best Song for Social Change” category ahead of the GRAMMY Awards presentation ceremony scheduled for Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 5, 2023.
The new category, proposed by academy voting members, will award creators or songwriters of message-driven music that responds to the social issues of our time and has the potential for positive global impact. It will also recognize songs that promote understanding, peacebuilding, empathy, and being positive.
The submission, which expires on Friday (October 14), is for artists, managers, fans or record labels whose songs, across all genres, have had profound social influence and impact. To be eligible, the record should contain lyrical content that: addresses a timely social issue; explores a subject impacting a community of people in need; and promotes awareness and raises consciousness.
Eligible record can be submitted via https://songforsocialchange.grammy.com/Home/Entry
On June 9, the Recording Academy announced some exciting new changes going into effect at the 2023 GRAMMYs, including the introduction of five new GRAMMY Awards categories: Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical; Best Alternative Music Performance; Best Americana Performance; Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media; and Best-Spoken Word Poetry Album.
According to the Recording Academy, the GRAMMYs product eligibility period commenced on Oct. 1, 2021 and will close on Sept. 30, this year, with an online entry period slated to start on July 18 and close on Aug. 31. Meanwhile, the Grammy entry and voting processes have been updated to include a rule that increases the minimum new content for album eligibility from 50% to 75%.
The 2022 Grammy Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas due to the fast-spreading omicron variant, marking the first time the telecast was held anywhere but L.A. or New York since 1973, when it was held in Nashville. The new location drew mixed reviews and complaints of chaotic crowds and transportation difficulties.