DistantNews
Support us
BTS Pulls Out of Grammys After Asian Pop Category Introduction
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

BTS Pulls Out of Grammys After Asian Pop Category Introduction

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Global K-pop group BTS announced they will not submit music for the upcoming Grammy Awards following the introduction of a new Asian pop category.
  • The Recording Academy's new category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, has been criticized for potentially restricting regional artists.
  • BTS stated they hope music is appreciated for its content, not defined by region or language, and noted their music would not qualify for the new category due to language requirements.

Global K-pop sensation BTS has decided to withdraw from consideration for the upcoming Grammy Awards, citing dissatisfaction with the Recording Academy's introduction of a new Asian pop category. The group announced their decision on coordinated Instagram posts, expressing a desire for music to be judged on its merit rather than its origin.

We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. We hope that music is heard and loved for what it is, rather than being defined by region or language.

— BTS membersIn coordinated posts on their individual Instagram accounts, explaining their decision to withdraw from the Grammy Awards.

"We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year," the seven-member group stated. "We hope that music is heard and loved for what it is, rather than being defined by region or language." This move comes after the Recording Academy unveiled five new categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, which has drawn criticism for potentially marginalizing artists from the region.

BTS, the first all-South Korean act to top the Billboard US singles chart, has a history with the Grammys, having received nominations and performed at the ceremony without securing a win. Their latest album, ARIRANG, a commercial success, features predominantly English lyrics but explores themes of Korean identity. However, it would not have qualified for the new Asian Pop category, which requires "meaningful use" of at least one Asian language.

The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia. The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists.

— Harvey Mason Jr.Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. explaining the rationale behind the new category.

Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed sadness over the band's decision, emphasizing that the new category was intended to celebrate the diversity and growth of pop music from Asia. Critics, however, argue that such categories can segregate artists instead of integrating them into broader global music conversations. A professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies noted, "by any objective measure, it is the Grammys that need BTS, not the other way around."

by any objective measure, it is the Grammys that need BTS, not the other way around.

— Lee Ji-youngA BTS fan and professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, commenting on the situation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog