BTS has decided not submit music for Grammy consideration this year, prompting Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. to express sadness while respecting the group’s choice.
On Tuesday, the K-pop act issued a statement that did not directly mention the Academy’s newly introduced Asian Pop category, but said the group hopes “music can be heard and loved for what it is rather than divided by region or language.” The Recording Academy had unveiled the category in June, drawing a mixed response.
Mason Jr. defended the addition, stating: “The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia. The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists.” He added that the Academy adds categories “never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters.”
He further clarified that submitting music in a genre category such as Asian Pop, Jazz, or Country does not exclude an artist from also being considered in the General Field categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. “Those categories remain open to any eligible recording, regardless of genre. Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both,” Mason Jr. said.
“The Grammy organization is here to serve music and all the people who make it,” he added. “As we continue to expand the reach, our membership and our awards, regardless of geography or language, I want to emphasize that we will continue to listen to the global music community and work to honor and celebrate all the artists whose music moves the world.”
