BTS opts out of 2027 Grammy Awards over new language rules

The globally renowned South Korean band BTS has announced they will not be submitting their album ‘Arirang’ or any related music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. This decision stems from new eligibility rules introduced by the Recording Academy, which mandate a significant use of an Asian language for entries in certain categories. As over 80% of the album ‘Arirang,’ including the track ‘Swim,’ is in English, the group would likely be excluded from main categories.

BTS stated that their music should be appreciated without divisions based on region or language. The band's seven members, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, released a joint statement on Instagram, reaffirming their commitment to the value of art over linguistic or geographical segregation. This stance comes after the group received five previous nominations without winning a Grammy award, despite significant success on charts like Billboard.

The band's agency, HYBE, clarified that this decision is exclusive to BTS and does not represent a company-wide boycott of the Grammy Awards. Other artists under HYBE will continue to submit their work individually for the 69th annual ceremony. The move is seen as an effort to protect the pride of the K-pop industry and maintain the group's artistic integrity.

The Grammy Awards' eligibility period for the 2027 ceremony began on July 7, 2026, with submissions closing on August 28, 2026. The main awards ceremony is scheduled for February 7, 2027, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. BTS's decision is expected to fuel ongoing discussions about the classification of global music, while the group focuses on independent projects and direct fan engagement.

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The music must be appreciated without divisions by region or language.