Grammy Awards to expand number of nominees in four categories to improve diversity

There will be a total of eight nominees in each of the specified categories

The Recording Academy has increased the number of nominees in four categories at the Grammys. (Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

The number of nominees in four major categories at the Grammy Awards will be increased from five to eight - after an outcry earlier this year when only one female artist took home an award.

Starting with the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2018, categories including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist will be expanded, Billboard reports.

The news was revealed by current Recording Academy president/CEO Neil Portnow - who has announced he'll be stepping down from his position after his current contract expires in 2019.

"This creates more opportunities for a wider-range of recognition in these important categories and gives more flexibility to our voters when having to make the often challenging decisions about representing excellence and the best in music for the year," he commented.

Recently a task force - led by Time's Up co-founder Tina Tchen - was initiated by the Recording Academy to address discrimination against women in the music industry.

Tchen previously held the position of Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff and led the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund.

Artists including Common and Sheryl crow have joined Tchen's initiative.

The task force was created after only one female artist - Alessia Cara - took home an award during the 2018 Grammys ceremony.

The Recording Academy's recent decision mirrors the changes the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences made in 2009 when it increased the number of Best Picture nominees from five to 10.

The Grammy Awards are set to return to Los Angeles' Staples Center in 2019 after taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York earlier this year.