BTS to Skip 2026 Grammys in Protest of New Asian Pop Category
The K-pop group says music should not be divided by region or language, while the Recording Academy defends the award as a way to spotlight diverse artistry.
By Vincent Parker ·
The Recording Academy has historically struggled to define how it categorizes global music styles. This year, the tension came to a head when the K-pop group BTS announced it would not submit for the 2026 Grammy Awards.
The band released a statement on social media following the Academy's introduction of a new best Asian pop music performance category. The award is designed for contemporary popular music originating from or widely recognized in Asian markets, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop. Eligibility requires the meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. BTS wrote that it preferred its music to be heard for what it is rather than divided by region or language.
The group is currently in the middle of a massive comeback after a hiatus for mandatory military service. Members released the album Arirang in March and began a sold-out global tour. Following BTS's announcement, the K-pop group Stray Kids also said it would not submit for consideration.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, responded to the criticism on Instagram. He stated that the new category was created to celebrate the depth and diversity of pop artistry from Asia. Mason Jr. argued that adding more categories allows for more artists to be recognized by the Academy's 15,000 voters, rather than dividing them.
Mathieu Berbiguier, a visiting assistant professor of Korean studies at Carnegie Mellon University, described the new category as a double-edged sword. He noted that while it acknowledges the growth of Asian music, it may sideline K-pop from general categories. Berbiguier pointed out that the term K-pop is often defined by the industry as a system of training and debut rather than a specific genre. He said the category suggests the Academy wants to acknowledge Asian artists but keep them separate from what is considered mainstream.
This dispute fits into a longer pattern of controversy surrounding the Grammys' inclusion policies. In 2016, Frank Ocean declined to submit his album Blonde, calling the voting system dated. In 2020, Tyler, the Creator won best rap album but described the category as a backhanded compliment. The Academy subsequently dropped the term urban from its category names. More recently, the Academy consolidated global music awards, a move that led to a lawsuit from four Latin jazz musicians. That lawsuit was dismissed, but the category was eventually reinstated.
The inaugural slate of nominees for the best Asian pop music performance category is scheduled to be released next week.
