BTS boycott Grammys over new category
K-pop group BTS has decided not to submit music for the 69th Grammy Awards, citing dissatisfaction with the newly created 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' category. The group expressed a desire for music to be judged on its own merits rather than being categorized by region or language.
Why it matters
The boycott highlights ongoing tensions regarding how major Western music institutions categorize and represent global artists in an increasingly interconnected industry.
K-pop group BTS said they will not submit any music for consideration at the 69th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2027, citing dissatisfaction with the academy’s new category for best Asian pop music performance.
The decision marks the first time the South Korean group, one of the biggest names in K-pop, have opted out of the awards ceremony. Each member of the group shared the news in a post on Instagram.
“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,” they wrote on Wednesday.
The Recording Academy announced the new category on June 16 for music from South Korea, Japan, China, and elsewhere in the region.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in