The Grammys used to get a lot of criticism for having too many awards categories—more than 30 of them were cut in 2011—but now an online petition is asking them to add one more. Launched by New York City-based music publication Live for Live Music, the Change.org peitition details the vast influence that funk has had on modern pop music. A fair amount of credit is, quite deservedly, given to New Orleans funk pioneers the Meters, whose music has been sampled by countless artists since the dawn of hip-hop.

“What we now consider ‘old-school’ funk acts such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Sly & The Family Stone, and New Orleans’ own The Meters have had such a direct influence on most artists that we love, currently listen to at this very moment, or are somewhat familiar with, that multiple books could be written on the subject,” the petition reads. “Take The Meters, for example, they are arguably one of the most sampled acts of all-time. Their music has been sampled by the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, N.W.A., Ice Cube, Run DMC, Queen Latifah, and countless artists from a variety of genres across the board.”

In the past, funk acts have been recognized as part of broad genres like R&B. James Brown, for instance, took home awards in categories like Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. There’s nothing wrong with this per se, and perhaps this is the way things should stay. Nevertheless, I’m intrigued by the idea of adding some funk categories, though it’s too bad we can’t hand out awards retroactively. If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn’t going to give the Meters their due, maybe the Grammys should do it instead.

Check out the full list of Louisiana artists who were nominated for 59th annual Grammy Awards.