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BTS Boycotts 2026 Grammys Over Asian Pop Category

7/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

BTS announced on July 29, 2026 they will not submit music for the 69th Grammy Awards.
The boycott follows the Recording Academy’s June launch of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category that requires Asian-language use.
All seven members posted identical Instagram messages urging that music be heard “without region or language” division.
Critics Lim Hee-yun and Im Jin-mo described the move as a protest against segregating Asian pop.

History

Historical Context

The Grammys added a Best World Music Album in 1992, split it in 2004, merged it back in 2012 and renamed it Best Global Music Album in 2020 after artist protests. Now BTS and seven members stand with producers Lim Hee-yun and Im Jin-mo, opposing the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance rule that requires Asian-language lyrics, a challenge that could end language-based categories.

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Story summary

BTS announced on July 29, 2026 they will not submit music for the 69th Grammy Awards.
The boycott follows the Recording Academy’s June launch of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category that requires Asian-language use.
All seven members posted identical Instagram messages urging that music be heard “without region or language” division.
Critics Lim Hee-yun and Im Jin-mo described the move as a protest against segregating Asian pop.

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