“There’s a history of the Recording Academy sort of changing categories in a way in which I think the perception is, it’s marginalized certain people,” @therebeccasun told @Elex_Michaelson amid news that BTS won't submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards.
I don't think people fully understand the magnitude of this decision.
Some of the music industry's most respected producers, writers, engineers, and creatives worked on ARIRANG. A project built to the highest artistic standard. One producer even spoke publicly about hoping the album would receive Grammy recognition.
Then the Recording Academy introduced a category specifically for Asian pop.
And BTS chose not to submit.
Think about that. The biggest musical project of the year. One of the strongest commercial and artistic contenders. A project that could have competed across multiple major categories. It simply won't be in the race because the artists chose principle over prestige.
Moves like this don't happen often. When artists at BTS' level willingly walk away from the biggest stage in music, the conversation shifts because of what they refused to endorse.
BTS members instagram story
"We have decided not to submit for this year's Grammys.
Rather than music being categorized by region or language, we hope music itself can be heard and loved for what it is.
We sincerely thank ARMY and everyone who is always with us"