The Recording Academy has stated that it is now re-evaluating the Asian Pop category, announced in June, after facing backlash for most of July following the decision of South Korean boyband “BTS” to boycott the awards due to the creation of the category.
A few weeks later, there are reports that the Recording Academy is rethinking the category and in talks with Asian labels. Here’s what we know about the situation so far.
The Aftermath Following BTS’s Boycott Announcement
Following BTS’s decision not to submit to the 69th Grammy Awards, other Asian artists, international media companies, and organisations took the group’s side, with platforms like Billboard, Forbes, and the BBC reaching out to the Recording Academy for more comment on the Asian category.
In response to BTS’s decision, the CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr. stated that the Asian pop category had not been created to isolate Asian artists but instead to promote inclusion. However, his response drew scrutiny as media companies questioned the idea of inclusion, given that the category could isolate Asian artists from major categories at the Grammys.
One of the major points of criticism following Harvey Mason Jr.’s response came from artists and media outlets questioning why the category was created after BTS surpassed American artists on the charts, likening it to the Grammys’ decision to create a Latin category after Bad Bunny won Artist of the Year and, similarly, to the split of the country category after Beyoncé won it.
It sparked a conversation about how the Grammys have continued to box artists of colour into a single category rather than giving them a chance in major categories; Afrobeats and African artists were also brought into the conversation, and it exposed a pattern that seemed to affect only artists of colour.
Possible Reasons Behind the Grammys’ Decision To Rethink The Asian Category
There are a number of reasons being speculated as to why the Recording Academy has drawn back from the Asian pop category, and some of them are:
- The Backlash
For over 3 weeks, media companies and organisations have continued to question the Grammys and their intent toward Asian artists, especially since the creation of this category singles out a global band like BTS, whose album has surpassed those of major artists released this year. BTS’s decision to walk away from the category on principle, even though they had a higher chance of winning, contributed to the backlash and eroded the category’s credibility.
- Definition Gap
The category explicitly names K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop while omitting major musical markets across South Asia, India, and Southeast Asia (such as T-pop or V-pop), inadvertently creating tension over what the “Asian pop” category entails. The category also requires the use of traditional language, which dismisses the reality of countries where English is the dominant language.
- Stakeholders Pushback
Award shows like the Grammys have stakeholders who contribute heavily to their success, and when major artists like BTS choose to step back from the awards, it reflects poorly on those stakeholders. The Grammys must consider not only the artists but also the stakeholders associated with the Recording Academy, especially in a conversation about respecting diversity.
The Plans Of The Grammys To Solve This Issue
According to a Billboard article, the Recording Academy has been in discussions with Asian labels such as Hybe (BTS’s label) and managers across K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and Indian music to further shape the category without losing sight of its commitment to creative diversity in the awards.
Although it is unclear whether the Grammys will fully remove the category, it is the first time the Recording Academy has responded in this manner after being called out by artists for a lack of diversity and inclusion.
Entries for the 69th Grammy Awards close on August 21st, with nominees announced on November 16th and the ceremony set for February 7th, 2027, in Los Angeles. It remains unclear whether the decision will be made before the submission deadline closes.
What we think
What has happened in the media and at the Recording Academy since BTS announced they would not be submitting for the Grammys has underscored the importance of major artists with large platforms speaking out against segregation and a lack of inclusion. If BTS are able to turn the tide in their favour, it could signal a new dawn for artists of colour around the globe who intend to submit for the Grammys.
