According to The Recording Academy, the award "recognizes excellence in recordings from established dance and electronic genres such as house, techno, trance, dubstep, drum and bass, electronica, as well as other emerging dance and electronic genres, with production and sensibilities distinctly different from a pop approach."[2] The award is presented to "albums containing at least 50% dance/electronic recordings".[3] Compilation or remixed recording albums are not eligible for this category.
To date, Skrillex and The Chemical Brothers hold the record for most wins in this category, with three times, followed by two-time recipients Daft Punk. In addition, The Chemical Brothers hold the record for most nominations with six. Madonna was the first female recipient of the award in 2007. Disclosure, Deadmau5 and Robyn hold the record for most nominations without a win with three each.
From 2005 to 2011 the award was known as Best Electronic/Dance Album
From 2012 to 2014 the award was known as Best Dance/Electronica Album[4]
From 2015 to 2023 the award was known as Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
From 2024 onwards the award is known as Best Dance/Electronic Album
The award goes to the artist, producer and engineer/mixer, provided they worked on more than 50% of the playing time on the album. A producer or engineer who worked on less than 50% of playing time, as well as a mastering engineer, can apply for a Winners Certificate.[5]
As of the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, the category sits in the newly-established Pop & Dance/Electronic genre field.[6]
Basement Jaxx were the first winners of the award, in 2005.The Chemical Brothers were the first to receive the award twice, in 2006 and 2008, and won for a third time in 2020, tying Skrillex as the most awarded acts in the category.Madonna became the first solo singer to win this award in 2007. She also became the first female act to be nominated and win in the category.Lady Gaga became the second female artist to win in the category. She was also the first to be nominated with the same album in the Album of the Year category.Daft Punk won this award twice in 2009 and 2014. Random Access Memories was the first electronic album to win in the Album of the Year category.Skrillex won this award three times in 2012, 2013 and 2016, becoming one of the most awarded artists in the category, tying The Chemical Brothers.Beyoncé was the third female artist and the first African American female artist to win in the category.
