LOS ANGELES: The ongoing debate between BTS and the Recording Academy has taken another turn after the global K-pop group announced that it will not submit its music for Grammy consideration this year.
The decision has sparked discussions about representation, fairness, and whether international artists should be recognised through separate categories or compete equally across all award fields.
In response, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he respects BTS’s choice while defending the Academy’s newly introduced Asian Pop Music Performance category.
Mason addressed the controversy in a statement, saying he was disappointed by BTS’s decision but understood the group’s perspective as fellow music creators.
“I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision,” Mason said.
He also highlighted the purpose behind the newly introduced Asian Pop category, saying that it was created to recognise the growing influence and diversity of Asian music artists worldwide.
“The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia,” Mason said. “The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists. More categories mean more artists’ work is recognised.”
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The Grammy CEO further clarified that the new category does not restrict artists from submitting their music in the General Field categories, including major awards such as Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook announced through their Instagram Stories that they would not enter their music for Grammy consideration this year.
Read More: BTS withdraws Grammy entry this year
“We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year,” the group said in a statement. “We hope music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region or language.”
The group also expressed gratitude to their fans, known as ARMY, and thanked supporters around the world for their continued love and encouragement.
BTS’s decision came after the Recording Academy revealed several new Grammy categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The announcement led to discussions among fans and industry observers about whether new categories create more opportunities or create further divisions within global music recognition.
The introduction of the Asian Pop category has received both support and criticism. Supporters believe the category will provide greater visibility for talented artists from Asia and acknowledge the rapid global growth of Asian pop music.
However, critics argue that placing artists into regional categories could limit their chances of being recognised alongside artists from around the world in broader award categories.
Following BTS’s announcement, many fans and music industry figures showed support for the group’s stance, saying that music should be judged based on creativity and impact rather than geographical origin or language.
The controversy gained further attention after fans noticed that previous BTS Grammy performance videos, including their performances of “Dynamite” and “Butter,” were no longer available on the Recording Academy’s official YouTube channel. The reason for the removal has not been officially confirmed.
BTS has played a historic role in expanding the global reach of K-pop. The group became one of the most successful Asian acts to receive Grammy nominations and perform on the prestigious Grammy stage. Despite their achievements and multiple nominations, BTS has not yet won a Grammy award.
The discussion also reflects broader criticism surrounding the Recording Academy’s award process. Several major artists, including The Weeknd, Eminem, Morgan Wallen, Drake, and 50 Cent, have previously raised concerns about transparency, voting procedures, and fairness within the Grammy system.
