Cinema VinesOn July 29, the global pop sensation BTS announced that they would not submit their latest album, ARIRANG, for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. The decision, made to protest what the group described as regional and language biases, sent shockwaves through the music industry and sparked an online debate about the Recording Academy’s nomination process.
The next day, Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, responded to the controversy via a statement posted on the Academy’s official Instagram account. In his remarks, Mason Jr. expressed that he was “saddened” by BTS’s withdrawal and stated that he understood and respected the group’s decision as a music creator.
Mason Jr. also defended the newly introduced Asian Pop category, explaining that it was established to celebrate the “depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia.” He emphasized that the category’s purpose is to shine a dedicated spotlight on important Asian artists and that adding more categories “means more artists’ work is recognised.” According to the CEO, the category is not meant to divide but to expand recognition among the Academy’s 15,000 voters.
Importantly, the Recording Academy clarified that submissions for the Asian Pop category will also be eligible for the General Field awards, such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. Mason Jr. noted that recognition in a genre category and in the General Field are not mutually exclusive, and an artist can pursue both.
BTS’s statement, shared by all seven members—Jin, RM, Suga, J‑Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—read: “We’ve decided not to submit our work for this year’s Grammy Awards. We hope music will be recognised and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. Thank you, as always, to ARMY and everyone who supports us.” The group’s decision underscores their ongoing advocacy for a more inclusive and unbiased music industry.
