Grammys CEO Responds to BTS Skipping New Asian Pop Category
After the Recording Academy announced a new Best Asian Pop category for the 2027 Grammy Awards season, BTS announced they would not submit their new album Arirang for consideration. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. responded publicly on July 30, 2026, saying he respects the group's decision while defending the rationale behind the new category.
BTS's statement and Mason's response
In declining to enter the category, BTS said they hope their music can be heard and loved beyond regional and linguistic boundaries, and thanked their fanbase, ARMY. Mason responded: "It's disappointing to learn that BTS has chosen not to participate in this year's Grammy nomination process, but as a music creator myself, I understand and respect their decision."
Mason said the Best Asian Pop category was created to celebrate "the depth, diversity, and extraordinary growth" of pop music coming out of Asia, describing its purpose as putting a dedicated spotlight on those artists. He framed the addition as an expansion of recognition, not a form of separation.
He also clarified a key rule: artists who submit to genre-field categories remain eligible to compete in General Field categories such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. "Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the top categories are not mutually exclusive," he wrote.
Arirang and the road to 2027
BTS released Arirang in March 2026, earning a four-star review from NME, which described the group as being at its best "as cultural ambassadors and explorers" for blending Korean cultural roots with global musical influences. BTS also recently appeared in the World Cup final halftime show curated by Chris Martin, performing alongside Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy.
What we know about the timeline
- 📅 2027 Grammy Awards ceremony: February 7, 2027
- 📝 Submission window opened: July 7, 2026
- 📝 Submission deadline: August 28, 2026
- 🔗 Original report: NME