The Recording Academy is reconsidering its newly announced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category for the 2027 Grammy Awards following significant backlash from artists and the industry. Discussions have been held with representatives from K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, Indian music, and labels including HYBE over the past weeks.
The controversy escalated when BTS announced they would not submit their music for the 2027 Grammys, in part because of what they felt were the limitations of the new category. The group shared a coordinated message: “We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language”. Some artists and critics have argued that placing Asian artists in a dedicated category amounts to a “separate-but-equal” approach that could limit their chances in the general field.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. acknowledged the concerns: “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”. He emphasized that the category was meant to expand recognition, not divide artists, and that submissions to Asian Pop don’t exclude artists from the General Field categories.
The Academy is now convening its full Board and Awards & Nominations Committee to work with community leaders and members to seek further advice on the category, with the goal of “honoring the music respectfully and accurately in this first awards cycle and determining how we best honor this music in the future”. The outcome of these discussions could reshape how Asian pop music is honored at the Grammys for years to come.
