On August 14, Harvey Mason Jr., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Recording Academy, issued a statement addressing BTS’s boycott of the 69th Grammy Awards. He emphasized that the Grammys are meant to represent all musicians, with a mission to ensure every voice and community is recognized and understood.
Mason revealed that after extensive discussions with various stakeholders over the past two weeks, it became clear that despite intentions to create a more inclusive awards ceremony, some artists feel the proposed Asian Pop category doesn’t adequately represent their hard work. As a fellow musician, he expressed that he takes this feedback seriously.
The CEO highlighted the Recording Academy’s track record of swift and decisive action in response to the music industry’s needs over the past six years. He pledged that the executive team and board would collaborate to ensure honored artists feel genuinely respected and heard through the Academy’s actions.
The Recording Academy had previously announced in June the creation of a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. This new award would encompass various Asian pop genres, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, with entries required to feature at least one Asian language.
BTS’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, released in March, would be eligible for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, covering releases from August 31, 2025, to August 28, 2026. However, the group has decided not to submit their album for this year’s ceremony.
On July 29, BTS members RM, Jin, Jimin, Suga, V, Jungkook, and J-Hope announced their decision to abstain from this year’s Grammys via Instagram. They expressed a desire for music to be appreciated for its intrinsic value, rather than being categorized by region or language.
Some industry observers speculate that BTS’s boycott stems from a perception that the new category might be an attempt to exclude them from major awards like Song, Album, and Record of the Year.
Responding to the boycott, Mason expressed disappointment but respect for BTS’s decision. He clarified that the new category aims to expand recognition rather than create boundaries, emphasizing the role of the 15,000 Grammy voters in this process.
Mason further explained that submitting music in genre-specific categories, such as Asian Pop, Jazz, or Country, does not disqualify artists from competing in the General Field categories. He stressed that these major awards are open to all qualified albums, regardless of genre.
Variety reports that following BTS’s announcement, Grammy officials have engaged in discussions with artists and industry representatives from various Asian music scenes. The Academy is also preparing to consult its full board and the Awards & Nominations Committee on the process of establishing new categories, seeking input from key music industry figures.
