K-pop group BTS announced it will not submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, citing concerns that a new "Asian Pop" category risks segregating non-Western artists. The group hopes music will be judged on its merit, not regional categorization.
BTS's decision highlights ongoing debates about representation and categorization in major Western music awards, potentially influencing how other artists and the Recording Academy approach diversity and inclusion in future award ceremonies.
Global K-pop sensation BTS announced on Wednesday that it will not submit any music for consideration at next year's Grammy Awards. This decision is widely interpreted as a protest against the Recording Academy's creation of a new "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category, which critics argue risks segregating non-Western artists.
In a social media statement, the septet expressed a hope that music could be "heard and loved for what it is, rather than being categorized by region or language." The announcement comes less than two months after the U.S.-based Recording Academy unveiled five new award categories for the 69th Grammy Awards, including the controversial "Best Asian Pop Music Performance." While the academy stated the change was intended to improve recognition for Asian artists, many fans and industry observers have denounced it as a form of "musical segregation" that could sideline prominent artists like BTS from the ceremony's top general-field prizes.
The Grammys have historically faced criticism for being less inclusive toward non-white artists compared to other major U.S. music awards. The backlash over the new Asian pop category echoes previous controversies, such as when Canadian singer The Weeknd boycotted the Grammys in 2021, calling the process "corrupt" and "lacking transparency." More recently, "Golden" from the soundtrack of "KPop Demon Hunters" received only one award, Best Song Written for Visual Media, despite being a major commercial hit. Rose of BLACKPINK also went home empty-handed despite strong chart performance of her collaboration with Bruno Mars.
BTS has received multiple Grammy nominations, including three consecutive nods for best pop duo/group performance between 2021 and 2023, but has yet to win. This repeated lack of wins has fueled criticism that the Grammys have not fully embraced non-English-language acts, despite K-pop's significant global commercial success, including topping the U.S. Billboard charts with their album "Arirang." The group concluded its statement by thanking its fanbase, known as ARMY, and "everyone who has supported us," without indicating whether the decision might be reconsidered in the future. The 69th Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 2027.