Recording Academy chief comments on BTS decision to skip Grammy submissions
BTS announced they will not submit their upcoming album for the 2027 Grammy Awards, and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. responded, emphasizing the purpose of the new Asian Pop category.
The seven members of BTS posted on Instagram that they will not submit their forthcoming album "ARIRANG" for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. Their statement said they hope their music will be appreciated without being divided by region or language.
Harvey Mason Jr., chief executive of the Recording Academy, replied on the Grammys' official Instagram account, expressing respect for the group's choice. He clarified that the newly created Asian Pop category is intended to celebrate the diversity and growth of pop music from Asia, not to segregate Asian artists from other awards. > "The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia," Mason wrote.
He also noted that entering a genre-specific category does not prevent an artist from competing in the general fields such as Album, Song or Record of the Year. > "Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both," he added.
BTS, which has received five Grammy nominations in the past—including three for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and one each for Album of the Year (via their contribution to Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres") and Best Music Video for "Yet to Come"—has never won a Grammy.