BTS Boycotts Grammy's New Asian Pop Category

All seven members of South Korean supergroup BTS announced on Instagram that they will not submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, protesting the Recording Academy’s newly created "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category. The group said they want music to be heard "without being divided by region or language," a statement interpreted as a direct response to the category, which was introduced in July 2026 to recognize Asian pop acts that use Asian languages, including K‑pop, J‑pop and C‑pop.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed sadness at BTS’s decision but defended the category, saying it celebrates the depth and diversity of Asian pop and that entering a genre category does not preclude consideration in general‑field awards. The Academy has indicated that the category will remain in place and that submissions are proceeding as scheduled.