Recording Academy maintains controversial new Asian pop category

The Recording Academy has decided to proceed with its new “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” category for the 2027 Grammy Awards, despite significant backlash and a boycott announcement from the K-pop group BTS.

The new category aims to recognize artists from major Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop. However, critics argue the category marginalizes artists by treating them as “other.” A major point of contention is the eligibility requirement, which mandates the “meaningful use” of an Asian language in a performance. This poses a challenge for many major Asian acts that have increasingly released English-language music to reach global markets.

In response to the controversy, the Academy held discussions with industry representatives and Asian pop artists. Academy President Harvey Mason defended the decision, stating that while they heard candid feedback from those who oppose the category, they also received strong support from other music professionals. Mason noted that the process helped clear up misperceptions regarding the category’s structure.