BTS Grammys took a sharp turn on Wednesday when BTS said it will not submit its music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards. The group framed the decision around how its music is heard, even as the Recording Academy has just added a new category for Asian pop performance.
All seven members posted the same statement on their individual Instagram accounts, and RM did the same on his own account. “We have decided not to submit for Grammy consideration this year. We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language. We thank Army and everyone who has always stood by us,” the group said.
Best Asian Pop Music Performance
The Recording Academy unveiled Best Asian Pop Music Performance just over a month before the BTS decision. The category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. Awards in the category go to the performing artist or artists, which makes the timing unusually pointed for a group that has spent years operating inside the Grammy system without a win.
BTS has been nominated before in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video, but it has never won a Grammy. All seven members have also been voting members of the Recording Academy since 2019, so this is not a case of the group standing outside the process. It is choosing not to enter it for this cycle.
Arirang and World Tour Arirang
BTS released its fifth studio album, Arirang, in March after the members completed their mandatory military service, and the album topped Billboard's main singles and albums charts. The group is also on World Tour Arirang, having closed out the European dates in Paris before turning back to the United States.
BTS will resume the U.S. leg of World Tour Arirang on Aug. 1 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That puts the Grammy decision alongside a packed live schedule, with the group’s next move clearly centered on touring rather than awards-season entry. The open question is whether BTS submits music for a future Grammy cycle after stepping away from the 69th Grammy Awards.
