Overview
- BTS announced on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, that the seven members will not enter any music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, saying they want music to be judged without being defined by region or language.
- The band’s statement was widely read as a protest against the Recording Academy's June decision to add five categories for 2027, including a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category that ties eligibility to Asian markets or use of Asian languages.
- Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he was saddened by BTS’s choice and defended the new categories as a way to expand recognition for artists from growing global markets.
- BTS’s comeback album ARIRANG has been a commercial hit and topped charts, but most outlets report the record’s predominately English lyrics would likely make it ineligible for the new Asian‑pop category.
- The Grammy submission window remains open through August 21, 2026, leaving room for further responses and keeping a broader industry debate over whether region‑based categories broaden recognition or segregate non‑Western music active.