Grammys boss Harvey Mason Jr has spoken out after BTS confirmed they will not take part in the 2027 awards process, stressing that the Recording Academy’s new Asian-specific category was designed to celebrate artists rather than separate them.
In a statement shared as debate intensified online, Mason Jr said he respected the group’s decision but pushed back on claims that the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category reduces artists to language or region.
He said: “I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision.
I do want to clarify something that seems to be getting lost in the conversation. The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia… It’s never to divide, but to expand.”
His comments follow BTS’ announcement that none of the tracks from ARIRANG will be submitted for next year’s Grammys. All seven members – RM, Jimin, V, Suga, Jungkook, Jin and J-Hope – posted the same message, criticising the new category’s language requirement and arguing that music should not be judged by “region or language”.
Their statement read: “We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year.
I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.
Thank you to Army and everyone who is always with us.”
The move comes despite Swim, the group’s recent US number one, being widely expected to compete for Song of the Year. Its English-language vocals would have made it ineligible for the new Asian Pop category, which requires “meaningful use” of an Asian language.
BTS have earned five Grammy nominations but remain without a win, and have previously spoken about the pressure surrounding their appearances – including their 2022 performance of Butter, which was nearly derailed by COVID-19 cases, injuries and last-minute rehearsals. Producer Ken Winston later revealed the group’s participation was in doubt until the day before the show.
