Updated
Updated · BuzzFeed · Jul 31
Grammys CEO Responds to BTS 2027 Boycott as 15,000 Voters Keep Asian Pop Entries Eligible
Updated
Updated · BuzzFeed · Jul 31

Grammys CEO Responds to BTS 2027 Boycott as 15,000 Voters Keep Asian Pop Entries Eligible

3 articles · Updated · BuzzFeed · Jul 31

Summary

  • Harvey Mason Jr. said he was "saddened" by BTS's decision not to submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, while saying he respects the group's choice.
  • The Recording Academy chief said the new Asian Pop category was created to spotlight pop artists from across Asia, not to split them by region or language.
  • General Field races — including Album, Record and Song of the Year — still remain open to artists who enter genre categories such as Asian Pop, Mason said.
  • Mason framed the change as part of the Grammys' broader expansion, saying the academy's 15,000 voters and awards system are meant to recognize more global artists.

Insights

Beyond the award drama, does BTS's decision expose a deeper flaw in how Western institutions categorize global art?
Will BTS's bold boycott of the 2027 Grammys force the Recording Academy to completely rethink its new regional categories?