Did the Grammys get petty? BTS' 'Butter', 'Dynamite' performance videos vanish after group's boycott

The Recording Academy is facing fresh scrutiny after BTS' Grammy performance videos for 'Butter' and 'Dynamite' disappeared from its official website, just days after the K-pop group announced they would not submit their music for this year's Grammy Awards.

The timing has fuelled speculation across social media, with fans questioning whether the removals were linked to BTS' decision to boycott the Grammy submission process. While the videos are no longer accessible on the Recording Academy's website, they continue to be available on BTS' official YouTube channel, BANGTAN TV. The Recording Academy has not commented on why the performances are missing. 

Fans notice missing Grammy performances

The issue came to light on July 30 when international pop culture account Pop Core posted that BTS' Grammy performances appeared to have been removed from the Recording Academy's website.

"It appears the Recording Academy has removed BTS's 'Butter' and 'Dynamite' Grammy performance videos from its website," the account wrote, alongside a screenshot showing an error message where the videos had previously been hosted.

The development quickly gained attention online, with fans linking the missing videos to BTS' announcement a day earlier that they would not participate in this year's Grammy submission process.

BTS explain why they are skipping the Grammys

On July 29, all seven members – RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – shared an identical statement on their personal Instagram accounts announcing their decision.

"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.

The announcement marked the first time BTS had chosen not to submit their music for Grammy consideration. Although the group did not explicitly mention the Recording Academy's newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, many fans and industry observers viewed the decision as a response to its introduction.

Debate over the new Asian Pop category

The Recording Academy unveiled the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category earlier this year to recognise artistic excellence in pop performances featuring one or more Asian languages.

According to the Academy, the category celebrates music from South Korea, Japan, China and other Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop.

However, the new award has sparked debate within the Korean music industry and among fans. Critics argue that grouping multiple music industries under a single "Asian" category reflects a Western-centric approach and risks separating artists from mainstream recognition rather than integrating them.

Harvey Mason Jr responds

Following BTS' decision, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr said he respected the group's choice while defending the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.

"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 maintained that the category was created to celebrate the growth and diversity of Asian pop music, not to separate artists from the Grammys' top honours. "Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both," he said, adding that artists remain eligible for major awards such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. He also said the category "was never intended to separate or discriminate against any artist or region."

BTS step away despite a strong Grammy campaign

The group's decision surprised many in the music industry because their latest album, 'ARIRANG', had been widely expected to compete for Grammy nominations.

Released after all seven members completed their mandatory military service, the comeback album topped the Billboard 200 for two consecutive weeks and became one of BTS' most successful releases in recent years. The group also won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards earlier this year, reinforcing expectations that they would again feature prominently during Grammy season.