Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has officially broken his silence following the announcement that global K-pop icons BTS will boycott the 69th Grammy Awards. In a statement released on Wednesday, July 29, he addressed the growing friction surrounding the introduction of the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
The controversy ignited when BTS chose not to submit their highly anticipated comeback album for consideration. As a result, the Academy found itself responding to one of the biggest acts in the world stepping away from the industry’s premier event.
Key Takeaways
- BTS announced on July 29 that they will not submit their music for the 69th Grammy Awards.
- The group withheld their highly anticipated comeback album ARIRANG from award consideration.
- Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed sadness over their absence but respected their decision.
- The boycott stems from a dispute over the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which includes language-based eligibility criteria.
- The Academy maintains that the new genre category does not exclude Asian artists from winning top General Field awards.
Harvey Mason Jr. Responds to the BTS Boycott
The Recording Academy introduced new Grammy categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, ahead of the upcoming 69th ceremony. This addition was designed to recognise performances originating from or recognised within Asian markets.
Following BTS’s boycott announcement on Wednesday, July 29, Mason Jr. addressed the situation directly through a statement posted on the Grammys’ Instagram account. He acknowledged the weight of the group’s absence from the nomination ballot.
“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,” Mason Jr. said.
He stated that the Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the growing influence of pop music from Asia. The intention was to recognise diversity rather than to divide artists. Furthermore, the CEO emphasised that the Grammys remain committed to evolving alongside the global music landscape. He acknowledged that the introduction of regional categories is often met with scrutiny from the artists they intend to serve. Mason Jr. stated that the decision to include the new category was based on extensive feedback from international members of the Academy.
Addressing the Controversy of Category Division
The Recording Academy’s perspective stands in stark contrast to the views shared by BTS. Earlier on that same Wednesday, the band posted a statement on Instagram explaining their decision regarding the 69th Grammy Awards. They framed their withdrawal as a protest against the new category. Ultimately, because the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category includes language-based eligibility criteria, the group felt the new classification makes music less universal.
“We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year. I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” BTS stated.
In response to the specific criticism about division, Mason Jr. clarified how the Grammy voting system operates. He explained that submitting music in genre-specific categories such as Asian Pop, Jazz, or Country does not block an artist from entering the major races.
“Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both,” Mason Jr. noted. He emphasised that artists in these regional categories remain fully eligible for General Field awards, such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year.
The Context Behind ARIRANG
The boycott arrives at a crucial moment in the group’s career trajectory. BTS released their studio album ARIRANG on March 20, 2026. This project holds immense significance for both the band and their dedicated global fanbase. The album ARIRANG is named after a South Korean folk song, features mostly English lyrics, and explores themes of Korean identity.
Furthermore, ARIRANG marks their first collective release after the members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service. Analysts suggested that the Grammy Awards’ language-based eligibility criteria for the new category may have specifically targeted BTS. Instead, the group has chosen not to submit the album for Grammy consideration.
A Complicated Industry History
The decision to boycott carries heavy industry implications due to the band’s previous relationship with the Recording Academy. BTS has spent years breaking barriers for South Korean acts at the American award show.
Before their extended hiatus for mandatory military service, the group received three nominations for the 2023 Grammy Awards. They were previously seen as artists eager to engage with the Grammy process and secure a win in the major categories. Their sudden withdrawal highlights a significant shift in how international acts view genre-specific classifications at Western award ceremonies. Ultimately, the broader impact of their decision on future submissions by other global artists remains a topic of intense discussion.
FAQs
- Why did BTS boycott the Grammy Awards?
BTS decided to boycott the 69th Grammy Awards in protest of the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, which they believe divides music by region or language.
- Who is Harvey Mason Jr.?
Harvey Mason Jr. is the CEO of the Recording Academy, the organisation responsible for hosting the Grammy Awards.
- What is the new Grammy category?
The Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category to recognise performances originating from or recognised within Asian markets. It includes language-based eligibility criteria.
- Can Asian artists still win Album of the Year?
Yes, Harvey Mason Jr. clarified that submitting to the Asian Pop category does not exclude artists from being considered in General Field categories like Album of the Year or Record of the Year.
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