BTS Boycott 2027 Grammys
BTS have announced they are boycotting the 2027 Grammy Awards, ending years of publicly hoping to win one, after all seven members posted identical statements on Instagram declining to submit their music for consideration. The move appears linked to the Grammys' newly created Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which some see as a well-intentioned but potentially condescending attempt to finally hand the group an award, despite BTS never having won a Grammy in previous nominations.
The statement, translated from Korean, said the group hopes "music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language." The new category, one of five introduced by the Grammys last month, requires "meaningful use" of an Asian language, meaning BTS's recent English-language hit "Swim" — which topped the Hot 100 — would likely not have qualified anyway. BTS join other high-profile acts, including Drake, Morgan Wallen and the Weeknd, who have boycotted the Grammys in recent years.
- BTS to boycott the 2027 Grammy Awards, all members confirm
- Move tied to new, possibly patronising Asian pop category
- Group joins Drake, Wallen and the Weeknd in past boycotts
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BTS is a South Korean boy band that has become one of the world's most successful music acts, with billions of streams and a devoted global fanbase. The Grammy Awards are the most prestigious awards ceremony in the American music industry, and winning one is considered a major achievement for any artist. Despite several nominations over the years, BTS has never won a Grammy.
The Recording Academy, which runs the Grammys, recently created a new award category called Best Asian Pop Music Performance, specifically requiring songs to contain "meaningful use" of an Asian language. Some observers view this as a way to finally give BTS an award, though the group sees it differently. All seven band members posted identical statements on Instagram rejecting the move, saying they believe music should be recognised "rather than being divided by region or language."
BTS is not alone in its frustration with the Grammys. Other major artists including Drake, the Weeknd and Morgan Wallen have boycotted the awards in recent years, citing various concerns about how the institution operates and recognises music. The band's decision highlights ongoing debates within the music industry about how artists from outside the United States are categorised and whether separate awards categories help or hinder equal recognition.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A dedicated Asian pop category could give artists whose work is often overlooked by mainstream awards greater recognition and visibility. Supporters may see it as a practical step towards inclusion, while arguing that genre or language categories can honour particular traditions without diminishing an artist’s wider achievements.
The case against
A separate category based on Asian language use may imply that Asian artists belong in a distinct lane rather than being judged alongside other performers. BTS’s stance can be understood as defending music’s ability to cross linguistic and regional boundaries, especially if the category would exclude their English-language work despite its broad success.