Global Superstars BTS Boycott Grammys in Protest of New "Asian Pop Performance" Category

One month after the Recording Academy announced the controversial Asian Pop Performance Award category for the upcoming Grammy cycle, global superstars BTS, arguably the most influential musical act in the world, made a definitive statement by announcing they would not be submitting their critically acclaimed music for nomination consideration. The decision, communicated collectively by all seven members, marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the Korean septet and the prestigious American music awards.

The announcement came today through the individual Instagram stories of BTS members — RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Each member shared an identical, poignant statement, signaling a unified stance against what many perceive as the Grammys’ continued struggle with diversity and inclusion. Their collective message resonated deeply with fans and industry observers alike: “I hope the music itself can be heard and loved rather than being distinguished by region and language. Thank you to the ARMY and everyone for always being with me.” This powerful declaration underscores their long-standing belief in music transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries, a philosophy they have championed throughout their illustrious career.

The timing of this boycott is particularly striking given the monumental success of their most recent comeback album, ARIRANG. Released in March, the album has not only dominated global charts but has shattered numerous sales records, solidifying its position as one of the year’s most significant musical achievements. Prior to this announcement, many music experts had confidently slated ARIRANG as a leading contender for multiple Grammy Awards, including the highly coveted "Album of the Year." The group’s fifth studio album made an explosive debut, securing the No. 1 spot on an impressive array of charts worldwide, including the Billboard 200 in the United States, South Korea’s Circle Chart, Japan’s Oricon Charts, Germany’s Album Chart, and the UK Official Albums Chart. Its lead single, "SWIM," further cemented their dominance by making history as the group’s seventh No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The album’s widespread appeal was undeniable, with nearly all its tracks—every one except for the interlude "No. 29"—charting simultaneously on Billboard’s Hot 100, a testament to its pervasive impact and the group’s undeniable artistry.

Given this overwhelming critical and commercial success, the decision by BTS not to submit ARIRANG in any Grammy category, especially "Album of the Year," came as a profound surprise to many. However, for those who have followed the group’s complex relationship with the Recording Academy, the move, while bold, was not entirely unforeseen.

BTS, despite their unparalleled global influence and massive fanbase, has a history of disappointment with the American-based awards show. Over the years, they have been nominated for a Grammy five times across three different cycles but have yet to secure a win. Their initial nomination in 2021 for "Dynamite" was in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, an award ultimately claimed by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for "Rain On Me." They received subsequent nominations in the same category in 2022 for "Butter" and in 2023 for "My Universe," their collaboration with Coldplay. The 2023 awards also saw them nominated for Best Music Video for "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)" and, notably, for Best Album as featured artists on Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres. Adding to the perceived slights, BTS performed at the Grammy Awards three times – in 2020, 2021, and 2022 – consistently appearing at the "tail end" of the lengthy awards show, a slot often interpreted as less prestigious.

In the past, the BTS members openly expressed their aspirations for the golden gramophone. SUGA, in a 2020 interview with Variety, articulated this dream, stating, “I grew up watching American award shows, so obviously, we all know and I know the importance of the Grammys. It’s a dream anyone working in music has.” RM echoed this sentiment in the same interview, suggesting that striving for the award motivated them to work harder, viewing it as the ultimate recognition in the music industry. However, as the group’s star continued to ascend, their perspective on such external validation appears to have evolved.

Over their remarkable 13-year journey as a group, BTS has transcended the traditional music industry paradigm. They have consistently broken records, cultivated an unprecedented global community of fans known as ARMY, and garnered over 500 awards both domestically in Korea and internationally. Their influence extends far beyond mere album sales and chart positions, encompassing cultural, social, and economic impact. Following a period of individual solo projects and the members’ mandatory military enlistment, the group reunited to craft ARIRANG. Their journey back to collective music-making was extensively documented in Netflix’s BTS: The Return, which offered an intimate look at their creative process and the profound bond between the members. This highly anticipated album was poised to become one of the biggest comebacks in music history, a testament to their enduring appeal and artistic growth.

It was against this backdrop of immense anticipation and subsequent global acclaim for ARIRANG that the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, made a significant announcement in June. They revealed several rule changes and the introduction of five new categories for the upcoming 69th Grammy Awards. While all new categories garnered attention, the "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category became the focal point of discussion and, ultimately, controversy. The other new categories included best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance, best traditional pop vocal performance, best traditional folk album, and best Latin song.

The criteria for the new Asian Pop Performance category were detailed to recognize music "originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-Pop, J-pop, and C-pop." Crucially, it also stipulated eligibility for recordings featuring "meaningful use of one or more Asian languages," explicitly excluding recordings performed entirely in English. This specific criterion immediately drew parallels to previous controversies surrounding categorization based on language or ethnicity within the music industry.

The decision to create such a specific, regionally defined category echoes past criticisms, such as those leveled against the "urban" label in American music. Following his 2020 Best Rap Album win at the Grammys, American artist Tyler the Creator expressed both gratitude and frustration, feeling "pigeonholed." He famously criticized the "urban" label as a "politically correct way to say the N-word," advocating for his music to be considered within broader pop music categories. Similarly, while Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny has achieved considerable success at the Latin Grammys, his historic win for Album of the Year at last year’s main Grammy Awards for DeBÍ TiRAR MÁS FOToS – the first artist to win the category with a fully Spanish-language album – was celebrated precisely because it transcended such specific linguistic categorizations. Many had anticipated BTS achieving a similar groundbreaking feat with ARIRANG next year.

Therefore, BTS’s unified refusal to participate in the Grammy Awards is widely interpreted as a direct and powerful protest against the new Asian Pop Performance category, which they perceive as an attempt to divide and segregate music based on origin and language rather than celebrating its universal appeal. The group has consistently demonstrated with ARIRANG that language poses no barrier to musical connection. This is evident in their ongoing sold-out ARIRANG World Tour, where audiences from North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and beyond passionately sing along to the traditional Korean folk song "Arirang" during their electrifying "Body-to-Body" segment, showcasing the unifying power of their music.

The subtle details of their Instagram announcements further underscore their message. RM, known for his thoughtful artistry, used an image of his character from the "Hooligan" music video, dressed in a ’70s "OldBoy" style, appearing ready for a fight – a direct visual metaphor for their stance. This choice could also be a subtle callback to his lyrics from the song, which explicitly "rejects pop music rules," stating: "Yeah, we the mess, gonna get a bigger mop here (Bigger mop) / This that K, gotta get a better pop here (Better pop) / You gon’ hear this one playin’ ’round the clock, yeah (‘Round the clock)." V, known for his gaming prowess, used his League of Legends Master rank background as his message board, a quiet yet firm statement. The remaining members opted for a simpler approach, merely posting the collective statement, reinforcing their solidarity and collective decision. While there had been fleeting rumors of individual members considering submitting their solo projects for Grammy consideration, the simultaneous and identical nature of their posts strongly indicates a united front, making solo submissions highly unlikely.

BTS’s deliberate absence from "music’s biggest stage" is a clear declaration that they have reached their limit with the Recording Academy’s repeated oversights and recent controversial decisions. The members have previously vocalized their disenchantment with the awards show. Following their Grammy loss in 2022, RM candidly addressed concert-goers during their "Permission to Dance On Stage – Las Vegas" concert two months later. He acknowledged "a lot of noise out there about their Grammys and the team itself" and emphatically assured fans not to "give a shit about it." He elaborated on his perspective: "Hating is their freedom, and they have their right to hate, but if it [were] me, I’d rather just talk with my friends in some cafe and forget about it — rather than tweeting about it or some interview. I wouldn’t do that because I’m a grown-up."

RM powerfully articulated the group’s true priorities, stating, "We didn’t come to Vegas for the Grammys. We came to Vegas for the ARMYs. The record, the title, the accomplishments, the trophies, they’re really important, but that wasn’t the first thing, the first reason why we started all these things. These two hours, communion, energy, eye to eye, singing along, dancing together, this communication, this is everything." This heartfelt sentiment perfectly encapsulates the group’s shift from chasing industry accolades to prioritizing their authentic connection with their fanbase, highlighting the profound importance of shared experiences over institutional recognition.

As of yet, the Recording Academy has not released any official statement in response to BTS’s significant announcement. Meanwhile, BTS continues their triumphant ARIRANG World Tour, captivating audiences across North America this weekend, with countless more dates scheduled globally. Their music, unbound by categories or awards, continues to resonate with millions.