This change includes a more accurate definition to describe the merit or characteristics of music compositions or performances themselves within the genre of R&B.

It may also incorporate production elements found in pop, euro-pop, country, rock, folk, and alternative.

"[4] According to Recording Academy president Harvey Mason Jr. in the same press release, these changes reflected "the current state of the music industry and how it's evolved over the past 12 months."

In the weeks leading up to this decision, the label "urban" to indicate music made by African American musicians, songwriters and producers had come under fire.

[6] Many African American musicians have disputed the use of the term "urban contemporary", seen as a "catchall for music created by Black artists, regardless of genre".