BTS announced Wednesday that they will boycott the 2027 Grammy Awards and will not submit any music for consideration [1].
The move signals a major clash between the global pop icons and the Recording Academy over how non-Western music is categorized and recognized on the world's most prominent musical stage.
The group shared the decision via the individual social-media accounts of its members on July 29, 2026 [1]. The boycott targets the 69th Grammy Awards, which are scheduled to take place in February 2027 in Los Angeles [2].
BTS said the decision stems from a desire for music to be appreciated without being divided by region or language [1]. The group specifically cited the Grammys' plan to create a new "Asian Pop" category as a primary reason for the boycott, saying that such a move is contrary to the principle of music being judged as a universal art form [1].
"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year," the group said in a collective statement [1]. They further explained that they want music to be heard and loved for the music itself, rather than being partitioned by linguistic or geographic boundaries [1].
This is not the first time the group has navigated the complexities of the U.S. awards circuit, but the decision to formally boycott the submission process represents a significant escalation in their critique of the industry's structural biases. By refusing to participate in the 69th awards cycle [2], the group is leveraging its global influence to challenge the Recording Academy's approach to inclusivity, and categorization.
“We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year”
This boycott highlights a growing tension between the Recording Academy's attempt to modernize through specialized categories and the desire of global artists to be integrated into general fields. By rejecting a dedicated 'Asian Pop' category, BTS is arguing that such designations act as a 'separate but equal' mechanism that prevents non-English artists from competing for the most prestigious general awards, thereby reinforcing regional silos rather than dismantling them.
