The said matter stemmed from the controversy surrounding one of the body’s new categories.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 30 (Manila time), the Recording Academy has responded to the joint message posted on social media by members of the Korean pop juggernaut BTS the day prior.
The seven members of the team, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook wrote in Korean: “We have decided not to submit an entry to the Grammys this year. We hope that music can be heard and loved for its own sake, rather than being defined by region or language.”
Addressing that, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of Grammys, said: “I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision.“
He then issued a clarification regarding the controversial new category — Best Asian Pop Music category — which has been set up for music that originates from “widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.“
Many have criticized it as being a barrier for Asian artists from being recognized in the main categories, while these remain mostly dominated by Western music acts to this day.
Mason said, “I do want to clarify something that seems to be getting lost in the conversation. The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia.“
“The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists. More categories mean more artists’ work is recognized. It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters,” he added.
The Grammys CEO also said that submitting music in a genre category such as Asian Pop, or Jazz or Country does not exclude any artist from also submitting and being considered in the General Field categories, which include the highest distinctions like the Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year.
“Those categories remain open to any eligible recording, regardless of genre. Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both,” he furthered.
Nonetheless, the CEO said that the Grammy organization is “here to serve music and all the people who make it.”
“As we continue to expand the reach, our membership and our awards, regardless of geography or language, I want to emphasize that we will continue to listen to the global music community and work to honor and celebrate all the artists whose music moves the world,” Mason concluded his statement.
In the past years, BTS has already earned themselves a number of historical Grammy nominations, including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Dynamite in 2021, the same category for Butter in 2022 and My Universe (with Coldplay) in 2023.
They were also considered for the Best Music Video for Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment) in 2023, and as a featured artist in Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres, they were also nominated for Album of the Year.
BTS was formed in 2013 by what was then-known as BigHit Entertainment. After a few years, the septet grew in popularity in their home base in South Korea, thanks to their early hits like RUN; DOPE; FIRE; Blood, Sweat, Tears; and Spring Day, among others.
Last March, they issued their comeback album entitled Arirang, which was later followed by a special track called Come Over to celebrate their 13th anniversary last June.
