Fewer categories for Grammy music awards

The US Recording Academy, the group that hands out the annual Grammy music awards, said Wednesday that it would trim the number of its prizes from 109 to 78.

The changes - the first restructuring since the group started handing out awards in 1959 - also includes a switch-up for the voting system.

There will now be single awards in the best Pop, R&B and Country singer categories, and not broken down in male and female groups, the Recording Academy said in a statement.

"After careful and extensive review and analysis of all categories and fields, it was objectively determined that our Grammy categories be restructured to the continued competition and prestige of the highest and only peer-recognized award in music," said group President and CEO Neil Portnow.

Axed categories include best rap interpretation by a duo or group, some of the pop, rock and country instrumental categories, Zydeco/Cajun music, Polka, Light Classical Music, and Native American music.

Other changes include re-naming the Musical Show category as Musical Theater; the Film/ Television/Other Visual Media Field as Music For Visual Media; and the Gospel Field as the Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Field.

"A transformation of the entire Awards structure would ensure that all Fields would be treated with parity," read the statement.

"It is now expected that each Category shall have at least 40 distinct artist entries, up from 25," the statement read, adding that no awards will be given if there are less than 25 nominations.