The Recording Academy is reconsidering how it will structure and administer its newly announced Grammy category for Asian pop, following criticism from artists and music industry representatives and the decision by BTS not to submit music for the 2027 awards.
BTS performs during the halftime show in the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
In explaining that decision, the group said it wanted its music evaluated on its artistic merits rather than separated according to geography or language.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Told Variety magazine that the organization has heard concerns from people involved in Asian pop and is taking those objections seriously.
The Academy’s Board of Trustees and its Awards and Nominations Committee are expected to meet with artists and industry leaders representing K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, Indian music and other sectors, according to sources cited by Variety. The discussions will address both the proposed category and the Academy’s broader process for creating new awards.
Billboard first reported that the Academy was reconsidering the category.
The controversy illustrates a longstanding tension surrounding genre- and region-specific awards. Such categories can provide recognition to music communities that have historically received less attention from major awards organizations. At the same time, some artists argue that separate classifications can reinforce divisions they would rather see disappear.
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