The Recording Academy spoke with members of the Asian music community about the new Grammy for Best Asian Pop Music Performance. However, some artists worry the category does not fit or represent their music well. On August 14, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said they spent the last two weeks talking with artists and representatives from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and Indian music communities. The statement was issued as an official press statement directly distributed to major entertainment news outlets. Mason stated, “The Grammy organization exists to serve all music people, and part of that is working to ensure that no voice or community gets overlooked or misunderstood.”
Mason explained, “It’s clear from our numerous conversations with many stakeholders over the past two weeks that, regardless of our intent and desire to be even more inclusive, there are some artists in this space who feel that this category isn’t representing the music they work so hard to create in the way they wish. As a musician myself, I take that to heart.”
Mason said the Recording Academy and its board are focused on working with the Asian music community as the organization moves forward. He further added, “We are focused on working together to keep pace with that progress and ensure the musicians we intend to honor feel truly seen and heard by our actions.” Billboard reported that the talks included musicians, record labels, managers, and representatives from HYBE, the South Korean company behind BTS. The Recording Academy is bringing together its Board and Committees to meet with Asian music community members. This meeting is intended to gather their feedback on the new category.
Best Asian Pop Music Performance Category
The Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category in June. It was announced as one of five new Grammy categories added for the 69th Grammy Awards. This category honors artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances from Asian markets. These include genres such as K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop. Many people think BTS is boycotting the Grammys because of the show’s new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
People expected the group to be nominated for major Grammy Awards, such as Album of the Year, because their comeback album, Arirang, was one of the year’s best. Their top US hit, Swim, was also expected to be nominated for Song of the Year. However, because the song is in English, it wouldn’t have qualified for the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance award. The Grammys’ new “Best Asian Pop Music Performance” award has a rule. They require that songs in this category use an Asian language in a meaningful way. More than 80% of the lyrics on Arirang are in English.
BTS Members Decide Not to Submit Their Music
On July 29, all seven BTS members shared on their Instagram Stories that they had made a major decision. They decided not to submit their reunion album, Arirang, or any of its songs for Grammy consideration. “We have decided not to submit to this year’s Grammys. We hope that music can be heard and loved for its own sake, rather than being categorized by region or language.”
They finished their statement with a message for their fans. “We thank ARMY [fans] and everyone who is always with us,” they said in their stories. Fans on Twitter and Reddit strongly supported BTS’s decision. They called the move a brave refusal to accept a “consolation award” or genre separation. Many fans expressed frustration that the Recording Academy created a separate Asian Pop category. They felt this move didn’t give them real representation in major categories like Album of the Year.
In response, Mason Jr. previously said he was “saddened to hear that BTS chose not to participate in the Grammy Awards this year, but as a music creator, he understands and respects their choice.” He explained that the new Asian Pop category was meant to expand recognition, not divide artists.
