BTS have accused the Grammys of dividing artists after the awards show announced a new category for Asian pop music. In response, Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. denied pigeonholing Korean artists, emphasizing the category was meant to be inclusive.
The K-pop supergroup released a statement on July 29 explaining why they would not submit their music for Grammy consideration: 'We have decided not to submit for Grammy consideration this year. We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.'
New Category Announcement
On June 16, the Grammys announced the introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance award, recognizing 'artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages.'
At the time, Harvey Mason Jr. said: 'Asian pop music is one of the most significant and sustained forces in the global music industry. Its impact is well-established, and it continues to grow and shape music culture around the world.'
CEO's Response
Responding to BTS's rejection, Mason Jr. stated: '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.' He clarified that the category was meant 'to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists' and does not exclude artists from submitting in general field categories like Record of the Year.
'Submitting music in a genre category such as Asian Pop does not exclude an artist from also submitting and being considered in the General Field categories,' he added.
History of Boycotts
BTS is not the first artist to boycott the Grammys. Drake, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Will Smith, and Morgan Wallen have previously criticized or boycotted the ceremony for various reasons, including perceived snubs and lack of transparency.
