Grammys defend Asian pop category as BTS opts out of awards race
BTS boycotts the upcoming Grammy Awards over a newly created Asian pop category, prompting the Recording Academy to defend the award as celebrating diversity.
The Recording Academy has moved to defend its newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category after BTS announced it will not submit music for the 69th Grammy Awards in February 2027, signalling protest against what the group views as regional pigeonholing.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, issued a statement acknowledging the K-pop supergroup's decision whilst reframing the award's purpose. "I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision," Mason said, according to Yonhap News Agency.
BTS declined to submit for consideration, hoping instead that music could be "heard and loved for what it is, rather than categorised by region or language." The group did not explicitly name the Asian pop category as the reason, but industry observers widely viewed the move as a direct protest against what critics contend risks marginalising non-Western acts into separate recognition tracks.
Mason countered this interpretation, emphasising that the award celebrates the "depth, diversity, and excellence" of Asian pop art and is designed to "highlight major acts and broaden recognition among the Grammys' 15,000 voting members." Crucially, he clarified that inclusion in a genre category does not prevent artists from competing in top-tier General Field honours such as Album of the Year or Song of the Year. "Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both," he stated.
The row underscores persistent tensions between the Academy and the global music community over representation. BTS topped the US Billboard 200 and Hot 100 charts with its March 2026 album "Arirang" but has never won a Grammy despite three consecutive nominations for best pop duo/group performance between 2021 and 2023. Similarly, Rose of BLACKPINK saw her collaboration with Bruno Mars, "APT.," chart strongly yet go unawarded at February's ceremony.
Mason signalled the Academy's intent to continue listening to global voices and expanding its membership base, positioning the new Asian pop category as an expansion rather than containment of opportunity.
