The Grammys creating an "Asian Pop Performance" category the same year BTS returns with one of the year's biggest albums feels less like inclusion and more like a new way to keep Asian artists out of the main categories.
If the music is good enough to dominate charts, stadiums, and global culture, it's good enough to compete for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
Separate shouldn't mean secondary.
BTS proved that real influence can’t be faked, drawing a 50K+ crowd outside the Presidential Palace, an audience size comparable to a completely SOLD OUT stadium concert.
Most streamed albums on Spotify this week:
#1 ARIRANG
#2 DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
#3 SWAG II
#4 Purpose
#5 Believe
#6 My World 2.0
#7 SWAG
#8 The Art of Loving
#9 DINASTÍA
#10 Man’s Best Friend
BTS’ “ARIRANG” becomes the FIRST album by any Group and Asian Act in history to spend a fifth consecutive week at #1 on Spotify’s Global Weekly Albums Chart.
For the first time since 2021, an Asian Act is nominated for ‘Artist of the Year’ at the American Music Awards.
— BTS won in 2021 and are nominated again in 2026.
Top 10 on this week's Artist 100:
1. BTS (24th week at #1)
2. Morgan Wallen
3. Ella Langley
4. Luke Combs
5. Bruno Mars
6. Kanye West/YE
7. Olivia Dean
8. Taylor Swift
9. Don Toliver
10. Bad Bunny
Presenting Rolling Stone's biggest cover ever: @bts_bighit for May 2026 💜
How did the world’s biggest band reclaim their crown? By overcoming doubt & returning to their roots on an adventurous album. #방탄소년단 #BTS
Cover story: https://t.co/bc0v3QCNYF
Video interview:
https://t.co/Mf1kyq2bgD
🚨 SWIM is predicted to chart at #5 on Hot 100 for week 3, but we still have 21hrs to impact charts for week 3. We lack only 54 pts for #2. Keep streaming and buying please
#2 — 54 pts
#3 — 37 pts
#4 — 16 pts