Grammy CEO 'Saddened' by BTS's Decision to Skip 2027 Awards

Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, has voiced his disappointment regarding the K-pop group BTS's decision not to submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. Mason Jr. stated, "I am saddened to learn that BTS has decided not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision."

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I am saddened to learn that BTS has decided not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision.

The seven members of BTS – RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jung Kook, and Jin – announced their withdrawal via an Instagram note. They expressed a desire for their music to be "heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language." This decision comes just over a month after the Academy introduced five new Grammy categories, including one for Best Asian Pop Performance.

Some fans perceived the new category as a form of racialized barrier for Asian artists. However, Mason Jr. clarified the intention behind the new category, explaining on the official Grammy Instagram page, "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 art emerging from Asia."

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We hope that our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.

He emphasized that the addition of more categories is meant to recognize a broader range of artists, stating, "More categories mean more artists' work is recognized. It is never to divide, but to expand who our 15,000 Grammy voters recognize." Mason Jr. also reminded artists that submitting for a genre-specific category, such as the new Asian Pop award, does not preclude them from being nominated in general field categories like Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.

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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 art emerging from Asia.

BTS has been nominated for five Grammy Awards to date but has not yet won one. Their nominations include three for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Album of the Year (for their contributions to Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres"), and Best Music Video for "Yet to Come."

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More categories mean more artists' work is recognized. It is never to divide, but to expand who our 15,000 Grammy voters recognize.