In June, the Grammy Awards announced five new categories effective next year, one of which is Best Asian Pop Music Performance. According to the Recording Academy, the award recognizes “artistic excellence in Asian pop music” within Asian markets and is not limited to K-pop, J-pop, or C-pop, requiring the “meaningful” use of one or more Asian languages. More than a month after the category was announced, BTS revealed that they would not submit their music for consideration in the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
All members of the group, including RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, posted on their respective Instagram Stories. Their individual announcements have been widely interpreted as a protest against the Recording Academy’s Asian pop category.
“We have decided not to submit our music to the Grammys this year,” the group said in a statement shared through the Instagram Stories of all seven members. “We hope music can be heard and loved as music itself, rather than being divided by region or language.”
This crucial move by the biggest K-pop group in the world shows just how much the category could impact and sideline music made by Asian artists around the world.
BTS is currently on a world tour promoting their comeback album, ARIRANG, across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Recording Academy has announced five new categories: Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album, and Best Latin Song.
All members of the group, including RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, posted on their respective Instagram Stories saying that they have decided to not submit their music for consideration. The group “hopes that music can be heard and loved as music itself rather than being divided by region or language.”
BTS is currently promoting their comeback album, ARIRANG, on a world tour spanning North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
The Recording Academy announced that all five new Grammy categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, will take effect beginning with next year’s awards on February 7, 2027.
The award will consider artists who recognize “artistic excellence in Asian pop music” within Asian markets and is not limited to K-pop, J-pop, or C-pop. The award requires the “meaningful” use of one or more Asian languages.
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