Lady Gaga snub prompts Grammy rules change

LOS ANGELES Although /*Lady Gaga*/ was the most popular new artist of 2009, she was ineligible for a best new artist nomination. Her hit "Just Dance" had been nominated in 2008, before she was a platinum-selling act, and previous Grammy nominees can't be nominated for best new artist.

Now, previous Grammy nominees can be eligible, but only on two conditions:

1. The artist hasn't released an entire album
2. The artist does not win in the category nominated

So why has this not come up before?

"More and more, the first release of a new artist is as a featured artist on someone else's album or the new artist may release a single long before the release of his/her/their entire first album," the Academy said in a statement.

"By current rules, if the other artist's album or the new artist's single receives a nomination, the new artist may never have the opportunity to compete in the best new artist category. With this change, each artist will have at least one opportunity to enter in this important and highly visible category."

Other changes in Grammys rules:

• Classical producers no longer have to submit a minimum of three recordings to be eligible for a nomination for classical producer of the year, and like non-classical producers, can submit just one recording.
• In addition, classical box sets will be eligible if more than 51 percent of the material is at least 5 years old.
• The Academy also voted to exclude all Grammy performances, and performances during any Recording Academy event, from consideration for a Grammy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report