![\"BTS\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/P1162NZT-e1792005126307.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe discourse is still unfolding months later. <\/p>\n
\t10\/15\/2026\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tBTS at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBrian Friedman\/PMC<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Grammys have long been considered music\u2019s most prestigious \u2014 and sometimes polarizing \u2014 awards. So when the Recording Academy announced over the summer that it would be introducing a new category celebrating best Asian pop music performance, the scale of the music world\u2019s divided response to it was arguably par for the course.<\/p>\n
\n\tThat said, it\u2019s definitely the biggest topic of Grammy conversation going into the 2027 awards, which will take place on Feb. 7 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. So what happened? <\/p>\n
\n\tDespite the attention to the new category peaking when BTS announced that it would not be submitting music for consideration this year \u2014 despite having a massive year with three-week Billboard 200<\/a>-topping comeback album ARIRANG \u2014 the launch of best Asian pop music performance actually came more than a month prior. Everything that followed, from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.\u2019s responses to other acts voicing opinions for and against the category, unfolded gradually with careful consideration from all parties over time. It was only after the submission window opened in July that the Bangtan Boys shared their perspective that recognizing Asian artists in a separate category could be seen as divisive.<\/p>\n \n\tBy the time first round voting opened on Oct. 12, however, the academy had announced its intention to move forward with the new addition, arguing that it gives more artists the opportunity for Grammy recognition while emphasizing that Asian artists are still free to also compete in the general categories. That doesn\u2019t mean the discussion isn\u2019t ongoing, though \u2014 and as we approach the unveiling of the nominees in each category, best Asian pop music performance included, Billboard is keeping track of the timeline of events as they happen.<\/p>\n \n\tKeep reading to see a timeline of the best Asian pop category controversy below.<\/p>\n \tJune 16, 2026: Category Announced<\/p>\n \n\tThe Recording Academy announced the category \u2014 along with four others<\/a> \u2014 on June 16, 2026. In addition to best Asian pop music performance, the new awards included best Latin song, best R&B collaboration or duo\/group performance, best traditional pop vocal performance and best traditional folk album.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAsian pop music is one of the most significant and sustained forces in the global music industry,\u201d Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement about the Asian pop category at the time. \u201cAs Asian pop\u2019s influence has continued to grow within our process, our members and Trustees felt this was the right moment to create a Category that more accurately reflects the genre\u2019s scale, artistry and global impact.\u201d<\/p>\n \tJuly 29, 2026: BTS Boycotts<\/p>\n \n\tMore than a month after the changes were announced, BTS announced<\/a> via matching statements on each of the members\u2019 Instagram accounts that the boy band would not be submitting their music for Grammy consideration.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,\u201d their statement read at the time, according to an English translation. \u201cThank you to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.\u201d<\/p>\n \tAug. 14, 2026: Discussions Renewed<\/p>\n \n\tTo address the polarized reactions to its best Asian pop addition, Harvey Mason jr. convened with artists, labels, managers and other influential figures representing Asian music spaces to discuss the category\u2019s efficacy. Then, on Aug. 14, Billboard reported that the academy had officially involved its full Board and Awards & Nominations Committee in the discussions.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe Grammy organization exists to serve all music people, and part of that is working to ensure that no voice or community gets overlooked or misunderstood,\u201d Mason said in a statement at the time. \u201cIt\u2019s clear from our numerous conversations with many stakeholders over the past two weeks that, regardless of our intent and desire to be even more inclusive, there are some artists in this space who feel that this category isn\u2019t representing the music they work so hard to create, in the way they wish. As a musician myself, I take that to heart.\u201d<\/p>\n \tOct. 1, 2026: Decision Made<\/p>\n \n\tAfter much internal deliberation, the Recording Academy announced that it had decided to move forward as planned with the best Asian pop music performance category.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIn this case, we heard candid feedback from people in our community who don\u2019t support the continuation of this category,\u201d Harvey Mason jr. said of the decision<\/a>. \u201cWe also heard from people who didn\u2019t have accurate information about the category, and having space to clear up misperceptions has been especially valuable. But by far, the loudest feedback we heard was from people who were enthusiastic supporters of the category, fellow music creators expressing their encouragement for keeping it.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWe understand this conclusion will not satisfy everyone, and that never feels good,\u201d he added. \u201cBut at the same time, we are confident it\u2019s the right conclusion for the music community overall.\u201d<\/p>\n \tOct. 2, 2026: Stray Kids Bows Out<\/p>\n \n\tOne day after the academy announced it was holding firm on the Asian pop category, Stray Kids joined <\/a>BTS in bowing out of Grammy consideration for 2027. The group did not elaborate on its decision.<\/p>\n \tOct. 9, 2026: Harvey Mason jr. Elaborates<\/p>\n \n\tIn an interview with Billboard<\/a>, Harvey Mason jr. elaborated on the decision, sharing what he learned from the backlash and his thoughts on the addition of more Asian music categories in the future.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI would say, regardless of what our intention is \u2013 which, by the way, is to always celebrate more music and more music people \u2013 we have to absolutely think and rethink and make sure that we are conscious of how new categories or new ideas land with those we\u2019re trying to celebrate,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, that means really taking the time to listen, bringing in the right groups of collaborators, and being really, really sensitive to how people want to be honored and how they want to be acknowledged.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWe will be having some very robust conversations around not just the Asian pop category, but all of our categories \u2014 especially as it relates to expanding, extending our reach into the global markets,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n \tOct. 13, 2026: SB19 & BINI Share Thoughts<\/p>\n \n\tDespite the controversy surrounding the added category, not everyone had negative feelings about it. Both SB19 and BINI shared why they were for it in an Oct. 13 conversation with Billboard<\/a>, with the latter group\u2019s Aiah and Maloi saying, \u201cWe see it as a door opening, not a box closing.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tSB19 leader Pablo added: \u201cIt would show the world that the Philippines isn\u2019t just a market. It\u2019s a source of original, world-class music.\u201d<\/p>\n \t<\/p>\n \t<\/a><\/p>\n Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tThe Daily\t\t<\/p>\n A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry<\/p>\n \t\tBy providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and our Privacy Policy<\/a>.
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