Grammy CEO Addresses BTS Boycott and New Asian Pop Category

The Recording Academy has officially responded to BTS' recent announcement regarding their decision not to submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. This announcement has been interpreted as a protest against the newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, shared his thoughts on the matter through the Grammys' official social media channels on July 30. He expressed disappointment over the sudden choice made by one of the most prominent bands in the world today. This statement came after all seven members of BTS—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—posted a joint message on their individual Instagram accounts, confirming their decision not to submit their latest album, ARIRANG, for this year's Grammy Awards. The music industry was taken aback by BTS' choice, which has led to a split in opinions among fans and industry insiders, with a significant amount of support pouring in from the ARMY and their global fanbase.

After a day filled with reactions and discussions on social media platforms, the Recording Academy finally addressed the situation. In his statement, Mason expressed his sadness regarding BTS' choice to abstain from participating in the Grammy Awards process this year. However, he also conveyed his understanding and respect for their decision as a fellow music creator. He went on to clarify that the new category was established to honor Asian music, a move that had previously sparked considerable backlash and criticism. Mason emphasized that the intention behind the Asian Pop category is to celebrate the rich diversity and remarkable growth of pop artistry emerging from Asia. He stated, "The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists. More categories mean more artists' work is recognized. It's never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters."