The Recording Academy is talking to members of the Asian pop community about its new best Asian pop music performance category, which, in an extraordinary move, may be re-conceived for the 2027 awards. (There’s little time remaining: First-round voting begins on Oct. 12. Nominations will be announced on Nov. 16.)
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Best Asian pop music performance was one of five new categories that were announced on June 16. But on July 29, BTS, the biggest K-pop act and arguably the biggest group in the world in any genre, announced that they were not entering their recordings for the Grammys this year, as a form of protest against the new category. “We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year,” a translation of their individual messages read. “I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. Thank you to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.”
Over the past two weeks, Harvey Mason, Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, and other leaders at the Grammy organization have been engaged in regular dialogue about the new category with various members of the music community representing K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, India and more, including musicians, labels, managers “and even HYBE,” according to the Academy.
