BTS announced Wednesday that they will not submit any music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards [1].
The decision marks a significant stand by the global supergroup against the Recording Academy's categorization methods. By opting out of the competition, the group is challenging the industry standard of separating non-English or regional music into specific niches.
The announcement arrived July 29, 2026 [2], via coordinated Instagram posts from each member of the group. The move follows the Recording Academy's recent announcement of a new Asian-pop category, a development that the group expressed disappointment over [3].
"We want our music to be loved for what it is, rather than being distinguished by region or language," BTS said in the Instagram caption [4].
A spokesperson for the group confirmed the decision to bypass the 2027 cycle [5]. The group emphasized that their goal is to be evaluated based on the quality of the art itself, regardless of the artists' origin.
In a separate statement to AP News, the group said they want their music to be judged beyond region or language [6]. This stance suggests a rejection of the "Asian-pop" label as a means of recognition, viewing it instead as a barrier to being judged alongside all global artists in general categories.
"We have decided not to submit any music for the 2027 Grammys," the spokesperson said [5].
“We want our music to be loved for what it is, rather than being distinguished by region or language.”
This move highlights a growing tension between global music stars and traditional Western award structures. By rejecting a category specifically designed for Asian-pop, BTS is pushing for a more integrated global music industry where language and geography do not dictate the categories in which an artist can compete.
