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For years, most musicians would have considered winning a Grammy to be the most prestigious honor. However, as the award show has proven to be “out of touch” with modern music in recent years, many have lost interest or even respect. Musicians and fans have each voiced their complaints, agreeing that not all artists get a fair chance at winning (or earning a nomination).

The Recording Academy finally listened to their complaints and have decided to make some major changes to the process in 2018. Here’s how the Grammys Awards will be looking historically different this year — for the better.

1. Rap, hip hop, and R&B are finally getting recognized

Kanye West in white t-shirt speaking into a microphone
Kanye West has spoken out against the Grammys before. | Jewel Samad/Getty Images

Rap, hip hop, and R&B are at the forefront of the music industry, but 2018 seems to be the first year those artists are being truly recognized. In 2016, Kanye West called out the Academy for being “completely out of touch.” Even Drake and Frank Ocean decided the Grammys aren’t worth their time and declined to submit their albums for consideration. Refinery29 put it perfectly: “If the most important artists in music don’t consider your award worth winning, what is your relevance?”

This year, 15 rappers, hip-hop artists, and R&B singers are nominated, which is a stark contrast from previous years. We’ve seen a huge shift away from pop music, with even Taylor Swift’s only eligible track, “Look What You Made Me Do,” not getting a nomination. It is definitely a sign that the Academy is serious about giving credit where credit is long overdue.

Next: This year’s nominees won’t leave you asking, ‘Who’?

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