Recording Academy reviews Asian pop Grammy award after BTS withdrawal
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
The Recording Academy is reconsidering its newly announced Asian pop Grammy category after BTS said it would not submit music for the 2027 awards, arguing that music should not be divided by region or language. The review matters because it has revived concerns that specialist awards can either improve recognition or marginalise artists from the main Grammy categories.
Chief executive Harvey Mason Jr said conversations with artists and industry representatives had found that some felt the category did not reflect the music they create. The Academy will seek advice from its Board, Awards & Nominations Committee and figures representing K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and Indian music, while sources said Gold Music Alliance volunteers had faced online bullying despite not being responsible for creating the award.
- Grammys may rethink its new Asian pop category after BTS withdrew.
- Artists question whether regional awards properly represent their music.
- The Academy will consult industry groups and review its process.
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The Grammy Awards are annual prizes run by the Recording Academy, a US-based organisation that recognises recorded music across many genres. They include broad awards such as Album of the Year as well as categories for particular styles of music.
Asian pop is a wide label often used for commercially popular music from Asian countries and communities, including Korean pop, Japanese pop, Chinese pop and Indian music. BTS is a South Korean group whose global success has made it one of the best-known acts associated with K-pop.
Award categories can affect which artists and recordings are considered alongside one another, and which audiences see them recognised. Supporters of specialist categories may see them as a way to increase visibility, while critics can worry they separate artists from the main awards.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that an Asian pop category could correct a long-standing gap in Grammy recognition by ensuring major, innovative music from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and Indian scenes is evaluated by voters with relevant knowledge. They may see a dedicated award as a practical way to broaden representation, build industry visibility and acknowledge audiences whose musical traditions have often been overlooked by mainstream institutions.
The case against
Critics argue that grouping artists by region or language risks treating highly varied music as a separate lane rather than judging it alongside all other pop releases. They may contend that meaningful inclusion means Asian artists can compete fairly in the principal categories, and that a specialist award could unintentionally reinforce the marginalisation it is intended to address.
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Originally published by Variety as “Grammys May Reconsider New Asian Pop Award After BTS Withdrawal: ‘Some Artists Feel This Category Isn’t Representing the Music They Create’”.