Recording Academy Defends Asian Pop Grammy Amidst BTS and Stray Kids Boycott

Key points

• On Oct. 1, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. confirmed the new category will proceed after listening sessions, citing 'robust' submissions and enthusiastic support from the broader music community.
• BTS announced a boycott in July, arguing the category segregates music by region and language rather than honoring artistic excellence. Stray Kids followed suit on Oct. 2, with JYP Entertainment confirming they did not submit their latest EP, 'This & That.'
• Blackpink is ineligible because their recent releases are primarily in English, violating the rule requiring 'meaningful use' of an Asian language. Twice also did not release new music this cycle.
• Potential nominees include Cortis ('RedRed'), Le Sserafim ('Spaghetti' or 'Celebration'), Hearts2Hearts ('Rude!'), and Aespa ('Lemonade').
• International contenders include Filipino group Bini ('Bikini' or 'Blush'), Japanese band Yoasobi ('Undead'), and J-pop group Babymetal, who were snubbed in rock categories last year.

Background

The Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category in June 2026, following the historic win of 'Golden' from 'KPop Demon Hunters' as the first K-pop song to win a Grammy. The move sparked immediate backlash from fans and artists who viewed it as a 'consolation prize' that pigeonholes Asian artists. Prior to this week, the Academy had faced months of dialogue and criticism, with BTS and Stray Kids becoming the most prominent vocal opponents of the new structure.

How outlets are covering it

Gold Derby and Billboard focus on the wide-open field of potential nominees, highlighting specific tracks and chart positions for groups like Cortis, Le Sserafim, and Bini. Rolling Stone and BBC emphasize the political dimension, framing the boycott as a protest against segregation by region and language. BBC notes the parallel to Latin music categories, while Gold Derby highlights the 'robust' submission count despite the absence of top-tier acts. All sources agree that the Academy's decision to proceed was based on 'candid feedback' and 'listening sessions,' but they differ in tone: Billboard and Gold Derby treat it as a competitive race, while BBC and Rolling Stone frame it as a cultural dispute over representation.

Why it matters

This decision sets a precedent for how the Recording Academy handles genre-specific categories for non-Western music. The absence of BTS and Stray Kids, two of the most commercially successful K-pop groups in the U.S., signals a significant rift between the Academy and major Asian pop artists. The outcome will determine whether the category is seen as a legitimate recognition of global influence or a divisive segregation of artists by language and origin.

What to watch

The Recording Academy will reveal the official nominations for the 2027 Grammy Awards on Dec. 10. The ceremony is scheduled for January 2027. Observers will watch to see if other major acts, such as Ateez or Twice, follow the boycott or if the Academy's 'robust' submission claim holds up against the absence of the genre's biggest names.