Overview
- BTS announced on Wednesday that each member posted the same Instagram statement saying the group will not submit Arirang or any 2026 releases for the 2027 Grammys.
- The move follows the Recording Academy’s June announcement of five new categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, which requires a significant use of an Asian language and would exclude largely English tracks such as BTS’s single “Swim.”
- HYBE said the decision was made by BTS and is not a company‑wide boycott, so other artists on HYBE labels remain free to submit for the 2027 awards.
- Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed regret at BTS’s choice while defending the new categories as intended to broaden recognition, saying artists can still qualify for general awards if they meet eligibility rules.
- The band’s withdrawal has intensified debate about whether language‑ or region‑based Grammy categories improve inclusion or effectively confine non‑English music to separate tracks, a discussion that could influence how global artists engage with major U.S. awards.