BTS boycott Grammys over new 'Asian Pop' category; CEO Harvey Mason Jr issues statement

BTS have opted out of the Grammy Awards submission process this year, saying they do not want their music to be judged through the lens of region or language. The decision comes weeks after the Recording Academy introduced a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, prompting widespread debate over how Asian artists are recognised at the awards. 

The group's announcement was followed by a response from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr, who said the new category was designed to celebrate the growing influence of Asian pop music rather than separate artists from the Grammys' top honours. His statement sought to reassure musicians that the new award does not limit eligibility for the General Field categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

BTS announce Grammy boycott

RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook each posted the same statement on their individual Instagram accounts, confirming they would not submit music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 2027.

"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language. Thank you to the ARMY and everyone for always being with me," the statement read.

This marks the first time the South Korean supergroup have voluntarily stayed out of the Grammy submission process. Although the members did not directly mention the newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, the timing of their announcement led many fans and industry observers to link the two developments.

Harvey Mason Jr explains the new category

Responding to BTS' decision, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr said he respected the group's choice while expressing disappointment that they would not participate this year.

"I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision," Mason said.

He stressed that the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category was introduced to acknowledge the rapid expansion and diversity of Asian pop music, not to limit artists' opportunities.

"The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists," he said.

Mason added that expanding the number of categories allows the Recording Academy's roughly 15,000 voting members to recognise a broader range of musical achievements.

He also rejected suggestions that artists would have to choose between the new category and the Grammys' biggest awards.

"Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both," he said.

According to Mason, artists entering the Asian Pop category remain fully eligible for honours such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. He also said the Recording Academy would continue engaging with the global music community as it expands recognition across different languages and regions.

Why BTS' decision has drawn attention

The announcement surprised many fans because BTS appeared to have a strong chance of securing Grammy nominations this year.

Their comeback album, 'ARIRANG', the group's first full-length release since all seven members completed their mandatory military service, has performed strongly worldwide. The album topped the Billboard 200 for two consecutive weeks, setting a new benchmark for a K-pop act, while also posting impressive streaming figures and earning favourable reviews.

Industry observers had widely expected the record to become one of BTS' strongest Grammy contenders.

The Recording Academy unveiled the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category in June, describing it as an award recognising artistic excellence in Asian pop performances featuring one or more Asian languages. The category encompasses music from South Korea, Japan, China and other Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop.

Grammy performance videos disappear from website

The debate intensified after fans noticed that BTS' Grammy performances of 'Butter' and 'Dynamite' were no longer accessible on the Recording Academy's official website.

International pop culture account Pop Core reported that visitors were met with an error page when attempting to view the performances. However, both videos remain available on BTS' official YouTube channel, BANGTAN TV.

The timing of the missing videos fuelled further speculation online because they disappeared shortly after BTS announced they would not submit their music for Grammy consideration. The Recording Academy has not publicly explained why the performances were removed from its website.

BTS' Grammy legacy

Despite choosing to sit out this year's submission process, BTS remain one of the most influential acts in Grammy history among K-pop artists.

The group became the first K-pop act to receive nominations in major Grammy categories, earning recognition for songs including 'Dynamite', 'Butter' and 'Yet To Come'. Earlier this year, BTS also won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards, ahead of several international stars.