BTS will not submit music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, a month after the Recording Academy announced that next year’s edition will include an Asian pop music performance category for the very first time.
Photo: BTS/X
In an official statement shared on Instagram by members Jin, Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, it said: “We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year. I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”
Following BTS’ decision not to submit for the 2027 awards, Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has issued a statement.
“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,” Mason said, as seen in an article published by Variety.
Mason Jr. clarified that the introduction of a new category was not a divisive move, but rather to shine a spotlight on artists.
Moreover, he said that artists who have submitted music in a genre-specific category, like Jazz or Country, can still be considered in general categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year.
“I do want to clarify something that seems to be getting lost in the conversation. The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia. The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists. More categories mean more artists’ work is recognized. It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters,” he noted.
BTS’ statement sparked discussions online among fans and social media users.
While introducing a new category dedicated to Asian pop music may be seen as a way of recognizing the region’s growing influence on the global music scene, it also raised questions about whether the category limits and segregates Asian artists instead of allowing them to compete for broader recognition across major Grammy categories.
Debuting in 2013, BTS catapulted to international success with hit songs such as “Blood Sweat & Tears,” “Spring Day,” “Fake Love,” and “Boy With Luv,” among others.
The group’s global smash hits “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance” further expanded its international fanbase during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, before the members began their mandatory military service.
Over the years, BTS has received numerous accolades from major international award-giving bodies, including the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) and the American Music Awards (AMAs).
The group is currently on its “Arirang” world tour in support of its comeback album of the same name, which was released in March 2026.
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