BTS Boycotts 2027 Grammys
Popular South Korean boy band, BTS, are not submitting their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.
Last month, the Recording Academy introduced a new awards category: Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The category encompasses K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and other regional genres.
On Wednesday, 29 July, all seven members of BTS posted an identical statement to their respective Instagram Stories.
“We have decided not to enter 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,” reads the translated post.
The group’s stance comes four months after they released their best-selling comeback album, “Arirang.” The majority of the album’s lyrics are in English, which likely disqualifies it from the Asian Pop category – a category that emphasises “meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.”
Harvey Mason Jr, the CEO of the Grammys, lamented BTS’ boycott, but said that “as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision.”
Additionally, Mason defended the new awards category: “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 … It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognised by our 15 000 Grammy voters.”
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