The Recording Academy is having second thoughts about its newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance award. This change comes after BTS, one of the world’s biggest music groups, decided not to submit their music for the 2027 Grammy Awards. The Grammy organization is now talking with artists and music executives from across Asia to figure out what to do next.
The decision to reconsider the category marks a significant shift for the Grammy Awards. Just two months after announcing the new Asian Pop category, and only weeks after BTS said they would not participate, the Recording Academy is acknowledging that some artists feel the category does not properly represent their music.
BTS Announces Decision to Skip 2027 Grammy Awards
On July 29, 2026, all seven members of BTS shared the same message on their individual Instagram accounts. They wrote that they had decided not to submit their music for Grammy consideration this year. The group expressed their hope that music could be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.
“We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”
The timing of BTS’s announcement was notable. It came about six weeks after the Recording Academy revealed the new Asian Pop category in June 2026. While BTS did not directly name the Asian Pop category as the reason for their decision, their statement about not wanting music to be “divided by region or language” directly addressed the concerns many had about the new award.
BTS had a new album called “Arirang” that would have been a strong contender for the new category. The album makes significant use of Korean language, which would have made it eligible for the Asian Pop award. Their decision to withdraw meant the category lost its biggest potential nominee.
Grammy CEO Responds to BTS Withdrawal
Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, initially responded to BTS’s decision with a statement in July. He said he was “saddened to hear” that BTS had chosen not to participate but understood and respected their decision as a music creator himself.
At that time, Mason defended the new Asian Pop category. He explained that it was created to celebrate the depth, diversity, and growth of pop music coming from Asia. He emphasized that recognition in a genre category and recognition in the general categories were not mutually exclusive.
However, the situation has evolved. In a more recent statement, Mason acknowledged that the category has not been well received by some artists it was meant to honor.
“The Grammy organization exists to serve all music people, and part of that is working to ensure that no voice or community gets overlooked or misunderstood.”
“It’s clear from our numerous conversations with many stakeholders over the past two weeks that, regardless of our intent and desire to be even more inclusive, there are some artists in this space who feel that this category isn’t representing the music they work so hard to create, in the way they wish.”
Mason noted that the Academy has shown over the past six years that it can act quickly to meet the needs of the music community. He said the management and Board are committed to ensuring that musicians feel truly seen and heard.
Recording Academy Holds Talks with Asian Music Community
Sources tell Variety that Mason and other Grammy executives have been in discussions with artists and executives representing K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, India and more. These conversations have been happening over the past two weeks.
The Academy is now convening its full Board and Awards & Nominations Committee. They plan to work with members and leaders from the Asian music community to get more advice on the category. They are also looking at the process for introducing new categories and awards in general.
According to reports, the consultations are happening just one week before the Grammy submission deadline on August 21. First-round voting is scheduled to begin on October 12. This tight timeline means any changes to the category would need to happen quickly.
Billboard was the first to report that the Recording Academy is reconsidering the category.
Why the Asian Pop Category Created Controversy
The Best Asian Pop Music Performance award was one of five new categories announced by the Recording Academy in June 2026. The category was meant to honor artistic excellence in Asian pop music originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.
Eligible songs must make meaningful use of at least one Asian language. Songs performed entirely in English cannot compete in the Asian Pop category but remain eligible for other Grammy categories. The rules specify that musical style, rather than an artist’s ethnicity or nationality, determines eligibility.
From the start, the new category drew mixed reactions online. Many critics said it boxes Asian artists into a separate category instead of recognizing them alongside their global peers. Some fans and industry figures argued that non-Western artists should not be placed in a separate Grammy category.
The controversy raised important questions. Some wondered whether the category represented genuine recognition of the rise of Asian artists or was more like a consolation prize. Others worried that the category would make it easier not to consider Asian acts in the general categories like Album of the Year or Record of the Year.
Genre-Specific Awards Can Be Problematic
Under Mason’s leadership, the Academy has shown a willingness to re-examine and revise its policies in response to comments and concerns. It has also worked to update and diversify its membership.
However, genre-specific awards can create problems. Members of certain genres may feel that such categories amount to being separated rather than respected. Many artists who are associated with specific genres would prefer to be considered in general categories instead.
This appears to be the case with BTS, who have received six Grammy nominations to date. They have been nominated three times in the best pop duo/group performance category and once each in album of the year, best music video, and best recording package. They have not won any of these awards.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Response
BTS’s fanbase, known as ARMY, largely supported the group’s decision. Many ARMY members accused the Recording Academy of disrespecting the group. Hashtags criticizing the organization gained traction on social media.
Some fans argued that creating a separate Asian category was less an act of inclusion than a form of institutional separation. They pointed out that a regional category isolates Asian acts rather than allowing them to compete in top categories.
Following the boycott announcement, there was a surge in streaming activity from BTS’s fanbase. ARMY has previously organized streaming campaigns to support BTS at key moments.
A source also told Variety that volunteers from the Academy’s Gold Music Alliance have been “bullied and threatened by social media users” who believed they were involved in the category’s creation. The category was actually determined through the annual Awards & Nominations process.
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What Changes Could Happen
The Recording Academy has not announced that it will completely remove the category. They have also not specified what specific changes are being considered. However, the fact that they are having conversations with artists and executives from across the Asian music community suggests that some form of revision is likely.
The Academy’s online entry period for the 2027 Grammys closes on August 21. First-round voting is scheduled for October 12-22. Nominations are set to be announced on November 16.
The Grammy Awards ceremony for the 69th edition is scheduled for February 7, 2027. Any changes to the category would need to be finalized before the nomination process begins.
For now, the Recording Academy is continuing its conversations with the Asian music community. The outcome of these discussions could determine whether the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category remains in its current form, gets revised, or is removed entirely.
Also Read: Chris Brown Deletes Vulgar Reply to BTS Fan Who Called Him an ‘Abuser’ – Social Media Erupts
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