Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Reportedly Subject of Genre Debate Ahead of Grammys
Written by SOURCE on October 26, 2022
Renaissance, Beyoncé’s seventh solo studio album, is reported to have spurred a genre-focused debate among Recording Academy members.
According to a piece from the Hollywood Reporter, published Tuesday, a source has claimed that the Recording Academy’s “dance committee” at first felt the acclaimed album was potentially not an ideal match for its submitted categories. As previously reported, the album was submitted by Beyoncé’s team for consideration in dance/electronic categories, as well as in general categories including Album of the Year.
Tuesday’s report claims the debate was centered around the album being argued as a stronger fit for pop categories, with Best Pop Vocal Album specifically getting a mention. Ultimately, however, the Recording Academy’s National Screening Committee entered the conversation and determined that dance was indeed the way to go.
Complex has reached out to a Recording Academy rep for comment. This story may be updated. This year’s Grammy nominees are set to be unveiled on Nov. 15, while the winners-revealing ceremony itself will take place in Los Angeles on Feb. 5 of next year.
The trilogy-launching Renaissance arrived in July as the follow-up to 2016’s Lemonade, which itself earned multiple Grammy nominations and wins. Recent days have seen the apparent confirmation of an impending global tour in support of the album, although details have not yet been made public.
Renaissance highlight “Church Girl,” meanwhile, is fresh off its appearance in Complex’s 2022 roundup of the best songs of summer. Joining the ubiquitous track on the list were equally omnipresent songs from Burna Boy, Steve Lacy, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles, Yeat, and more. See the full rundown here.
