Grammys change eligibility rule

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Lady Gaga’s exclusion from the best-new-artist category at this year’s Grammys has caused the Recording Academy to change eligibility requirements.

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.

The rule change allows previous nominees to be eligible, as long as the artist hasn’t released an entire album and doesn’t win.