The South Korean group BTS announced on July 29, 2026 [1], that it will boycott the 2027 Grammy Awards by refusing to submit any music for consideration.
The move signals a growing tension between global music superstars and the Recording Academy over how non-English artists are categorized. By rejecting the 69th Annual Grammy Awards [2], the group is challenging the industry's approach to diversity and inclusion.
The protest centers on the introduction of a new award category titled "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" [2]. BTS posted the announcement in Korean on its Instagram accounts, stating that the new category segregates Asian-language music. The group described the move as a form of gate-keeping that limits non-English artists from competing in the main categories [3].
"We have decided not to submit any music for consideration at the 2027 Grammys because we believe the new category does not reflect the diversity of Asian music," a BTS spokesperson said [2].
The boycott affects the ceremony scheduled for February 2027 [2]. The group's decision comes as K-pop continues to expand its global footprint, often pushing the boundaries of traditional Western award structures.
Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Grammys, responded to the announcement on July 30, 2026. "I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year," Mason said [4].
The Recording Academy has not yet announced whether it will modify the category or the eligibility rules in response to the boycott. This conflict highlights the struggle for artists from the Global South to be recognized in general categories rather than being relegated to regional or linguistic subsets, a practice critics argue preserves an English-centric hierarchy in the music industry.
“The group described the move as a form of gate-keeping that limits non-English artists from competing in the main categories.”
This boycott represents a pivotal shift in the power dynamic between the Recording Academy and international artists. While the Academy likely viewed the 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' category as a way to provide more visibility to Asian artists, BTS perceives it as a 'separate but equal' strategy that prevents them from winning the most prestigious general awards. If other major K-pop or J-pop acts join the boycott, the Grammys risk losing significant viewership and cultural relevance in the massive Asian market.
