BTS withdraws music from 2027 Grammys over new Asian pop category

BTS withdraws music from 2027 Grammys over new Asian pop category

The seven members of the K-pop group BTS have announced they will not submit any music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, V, Jungkook, and Jimin coordinated the announcement on Wednesday, sharing an identical statement across their personal Instagram accounts.

The decision follows the Recording Academy's recent introduction of five new nomination categories, including the first Best Asian Pop Music Performance award. This new category is intended for performances originating from or recognized within Asian markets, such as C-pop, J-pop, and K-pop, and requires the meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.

In their statement, the group expressed a desire for their music to be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. They added a note of gratitude to their fans, Army, and those who have supported them.

The group's withdrawal specifically excludes tracks from ARIRANG, their critically acclaimed 14-track fifth studio album. The album was released in March, serving as a reintroduction to the band after members finished South Korea's mandatory military service and ended a musical hiatus of nearly four years.

The move impacts their recent US chart-topping hit, Swim, which was widely considered a strong contender for Song of the Year. However, because Swim features English-language lyrics, it would have been ineligible for the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category due to the Recording Academy's language requirements.

The decision has sparked debate among fans, some of whom view the new Asian-specific category as a racialized barrier for performers. The Recording Academy did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the move.

BTS has a long but winless history with the Recording Academy. They were the first K-pop act to receive a nomination in 2019 and have since earned five nominations. These include three nods in the best pop duo/group performance category, a nomination for best music video for Yet to Come, and an album of the year nomination for their work on Coldplay's Music of the Spheres.

While BTS has yet to win, other K-pop acts have recently broken through. This year, the song Golden from the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters won the trophy for best song for visual media. This followed a period where the genre remained undercelebrated by the institution despite an international following.

The group's relationship with the awards has been fraught with difficulty. Recalling their 2022 performance of Butter at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, J-Hope told Weverse magazine that the band was on the brink of mental exhaustion. The group faced severe logistical and health crises leading up to the show; J-Hope and Jungkook both tested positive for COVID-19, and Jin suffered a hand injury.

Producer Ken Winston described the lead-up to that performance as very tense, noting that COVID-19 regulations almost led to the performance being axed. J-Hope revealed he had only a single day of rehearsals after his quarantine. Despite the pressure and the desire to deliver a perfect show, J-Hope admitted it was disappointing not to achieve the level of performance he wanted.

BTS is not the first high-profile artist to boycott the ceremony. The Weekend withdrew his work in 2021 after failing to receive nominations, though he later changed his mind. Drake followed a similar path the following year.

The new Grammy categories are scheduled to take effect during the 69th Grammys on February 7, 2027.