BTS Declines Grammy Submissions in Protest of New “Asian Pop” Category

All seven members of BTS announced via Instagram that they will not submit any music for the upcoming Grammy Awards. Their decision coincides with the Recording Academy’s introduction of a separate “Asian Pop” category, which critics fear could segregate Asian artists from the main fields.

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BTS, whose comeback album ARIRANG topped the Billboard 200 for two consecutive weeks earlier this year, has been nominated five times—including three straight Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nods (2021-2023) and a Best Music Video nomination in 2023—but has never won. The band is currently on a world tour promoting ARIRANG and will perform at the FIFA World Cup halftime show.

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Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason Jr. issued a statement expressing sadness over BTS’s choice while emphasizing respect for the group’s decision as fellow music creators. He defended the new category, noting that genre categories do not preclude artists from competing in the General Field (Record, Album, and Song of the Year). BTS’s Instagram post, translated by Yonhap News, thanked their fanbase “ARMY” and reiterated the desire for music to be evaluated without regional labels.

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• “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.” — CEO Harvey Mason Jr, the academy’s CEO

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BTS’s withdrawal means ARIRANG will not be eligible for Grammy consideration, removing a high-profile contender from the race. Observers note that the band’s stance may pressure the Academy to reassess how regional categories are framed, while the Academy maintains that additional categories expand, rather than divide, recognition opportunities for artists worldwide.

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