Stray Kids Join BTS in Boycotting 2027 Grammys Over Asian Pop Category

Key points

• Stray Kids' label JYP Entertainment confirmed the group did not submit for the 2027 Grammys, following BTS's similar boycott in July.
• The Recording Academy's CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., confirmed the new Asian Pop category will debut at the 2027 ceremony despite mixed feedback.
• The category requires 'meaningful use' of an Asian language, which excludes BTS and Blackpink, whose latest releases are primarily in English.
• BTS and Stray Kids are both voting members of the Recording Academy, making their withdrawal a significant blow to the organization's prestige.
• The boycott follows the introduction of the category in June, which critics argue ghettoizes K-pop and J-pop rather than celebrating their global impact.

Background

The Recording Academy introduced the 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' category in June 2026, following the first K-pop Grammy win for 'Golden' from the film 'K-pop Demon Hunters' in February. BTS had previously performed at the Grammys and received five nominations but never won a prize. Stray Kids, who recently headlined the Rock In Rio Festival and scored their ninth US number one album, had previously avoided direct comments on the awards. The boycott mirrors past concerns from Latin artists about genre-specific categories that segregate music by language or region.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and Rolling Stone emphasize the Recording Academy's decision to proceed with the category despite 'candid feedback' against it, noting that Mason Jr. cited 'enthusiastic supporters' as the loudest voice. Billboard highlights the wide-open race for the category, noting that without BTS and Stray Kids, artists like aespa, Kenshi Yonezu, and SB19 are now leading contenders. Variety focuses on the 'ghettoization' argument, comparing the Asian Pop category to Latin Grammy categories that critics say exclude artists from mainstream prizes. All sources agree that the boycott is a significant blow to the Academy, given the global popularity of the boycotting acts.

Why it matters

The boycott by two of the world's biggest K-pop acts signals a potential shift in how Asian artists engage with Western award systems. It highlights ongoing tensions between genre-specific recognition and mainstream inclusion, potentially influencing future Grammy category structures. The absence of top-tier acts may also affect the Academy's credibility and the perceived value of the new category.

What to watch

Nominations for the 2027 Grammys are due in December, with the first round of voting beginning on October 12. The ceremony is scheduled for February 7, 2027. The Recording Academy has indicated it will continue discussions with the music community regarding the category's development, but no changes have been announced for the 2027 ceremony.