The Recording Academy appears to be taking a second look at its newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category following K-Pop supergroup BTS’ decision not to submit music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards.
The development comes just two months after the organization introduced the category and weeks after BTS publicly expressed its concerns about music being classified based on region and language.
On August 14, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. addressed the growing concerns surrounding the new award, saying the organization has been listening to artists and industry representatives from across the Asian music scene.
“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,” Harvey said in a statement cited by Variety.
READ: BTS performance videos no longer accessible on Grammys website following boycott
He acknowledged that while the Recording Academy created the category with the intention of making it more inclusive, some artists feel that it does not accurately represent the music they work to create, saying: “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.”
“Over the past six years, the Academy has shown that it can act decisively and move swiftly to meet the needs of our music community. The management and Board are committed to working together to keep pace with that progress and ensure the musicians we intend to honor feel truly seen and heard by our actions,” he added.
According to sources cited by Variety, Harvey and other Grammy executives have been speaking with artists and industry representatives from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, India, and other areas of Asian music.
The Recording Academy is also bringing together its full Board and Awards & Nominations Committee to seek further input from members and leaders within the Asian music community.
READ: BTS to skip Grammy Awards: ‘We hope music will be recognized and loved for what it is’
The discussions will not only cover the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category but also the Recording Academy’s process for creating new categories and awards.
The move follows BTS’ announcement on July 29 that it would not submit its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammys.
All seven members shared the same statement on their social media accounts, saying they hoped music could be appreciated without being separated according to region or language.
“We hope that music can be heard and loved by itself rather than being divided by region or language,” BTS members said.
After the boycott, fans and netizens have noticed that the performance videos of BTS’ songs “Dynamite” and “Butter” became unavailable on the official Grammy Awards website, prompting mixed reactions online.
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Some pointed out that the organization has previously made select performances from past ceremonies unavailable over time. Others, meanwhile, wondered whether the change came after the seven-member group’s decision to skip next year’s awarding ceremony.
The Recording Academy introduced the category as Asian pop music continues to gain a larger global audience. However, the decision also drew criticism from those who questioned whether placing Asian pop in its own category could have the unintended effect of separating artists from the wider Grammy competition.
The controversy has also resulted in backlash toward people who were mistakenly believed to be responsible for creating the category.
For now, the Recording Academy has not withdrawn the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category or announced any changes to its criteria.
It also remains to be seen whether the organization’s latest move will affect BTS’ decision not to submit music for the 2027 Grammys.
Big Hit Music has yet to comment on whether the development could change the group’s position, while HYBE told The Korea Herald that it could not comment on the Recording Academy’s announcement.