Brief
Grammys move forward with new Best Asian Pop category despite BTS boycott
The Academy says the new category will recognize Asian-language pop, while BTS has announced a boycott over language rules.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Recording Academy announced a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the 2027 Grammy Awards, despite a boycott announced by K‑pop supergroup BTS.
What happened
The Academy said the category will reward artists from K‑pop, J‑pop and C‑pop markets, requiring "meaningful use" of an Asian language in the performance. BTS revealed in July that they will not submit any material for the 2027 Grammys, citing the language requirement as a key concern.
What was said
Harvey Mason, president of the Recording Academy, told The Hollywood Reporter that the Academy "heard candid feedback" from both supporters and opponents of the category, but concluded it was "the right conclusion for the music community overall." He added that the loudest feedback came from creators who encouraged keeping the category.
How it came about
The new category follows earlier regional additions such as Best African Music Performance introduced for the 2024 awards. The Academy consulted Asian pop artists and executives after BTS’s July announcement, but ultimately decided to proceed with the category.
Key facts
- The Recording Academy added a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the 2027 Grammys. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- BTS announced in July they will not submit entries for the 2027 Grammys. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Eligibility requires "meaningful use" of an Asian language in the song. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Recording Academy president Harvey Mason said the decision reflects feedback from the music community. (hollywoodreporter.com)
Sources
- [1] hollywoodreporter.com — originally reported as “Despite BTS Boycott, Grammys Double Down on Controversial New Asian Pop Category”
