After two years on its own, the trustees of the Recording Academy (NARAS) have voted to eliminate the Latin Urban Album category for the Grammys, combining it once again with the category for Latin rock and alternative albums. The re-designation of the Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album category came as a result of a low number of urban submissions, according to a NARAS spokeswoman.
The decision has raised the hackles of some members of the Latin alternative and urban communities, who oppose having to compete against each other. “The biggest record of the last two years now does not have a home at the Grammys,” lamented Los Fabulosos Cadillacs manager Tomas Cookman, referring to Wisin & Yandel’s current Latin chart-topper “La Revolucion.” Cookman blamed the low number of Latin urban entries on an “incomplete job” by NARAS in its outreach.
The Grammy category change does not affect the Latin Grammys, which still have separate rock, alternative and urban album fields.
