[TIME] "For a group that once aspired to be nominated for a Grammy, and in 2020, they became the First Korean band in History to be nominated for one with their english-language bop “Dynamite,” the firm rejection to even submit for consideration this year after the group returned from hiatus with a chart-topping album that broke every record is a significant statement."
#ArtHasNoAliens
https://t.co/HckXglmY3v
🐨 and whatever’s next, armys, i want to stay positive. i will never take this love for granted. i hope you had a great time tonight. i love you so much!
BTS announced their hiatus. When nobody expected them to. They fulfilled their country's national duty. Without hesitation. They came back after four years. People doubted them. Said they were over. Said the industry had moved on. Then they released ARIRANG. The biggest. The boldest. The most artistically ambitious projects of the year. Ended the Western Darlings.
And now they've chosen NOT to submit their music to the Grammys, taking a stand against a system they believe categorizes music by region and language.
That's power. Not chasing the industry.
That's how history is written. That's how the industry changes.
Almost 10 hours after BTS announced they are not submitting to the Grammys
and ARMYs are still trending top 10
#WeStandWithBTS
Yes we do! We are so proud of you BTS!
THE MOST ICONIC PHRASE ON MUSIC INDUSTRY
“We hope music will be recognized and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language”
#WeStandWithBTS
ARMY, do you understand that the reason BTS can take this stand is because they trust us? They believe that we as THEIR ARMY will stand with them. Equally as important is this: we did what we promised, what we fought tooth and nail for! We made them untouchable! Strong enough to declare to an industry that wants to sit them at the kids table–WE WON'T PLAY YOUR GAMES!
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.
The most powerful part of this decision is that they are no longer asking to be accepted by the industry. They already know their worth as artists and understand that they deserve nothing less than everything they have built and earned throughout the years. 👏💜🔥
#WeStandWithBTS