MANILA, Philippines — Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he was "saddened" by BTS' decision to forgo Grammy consideration this year.
In a statement released after BTS announced it would not submit its music for consideration for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, Mason said he respects the South Korean supergroup's decision but maintained that the organization's newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category was created to celebrate Asia's growing influence on global music rather than separate its artists from major Grammy races.
"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 said.
The statement follows BTS' announcement on July 29 that it would skip the Grammy submission process, saying it hopes "music can be heard and embraced for what it is, beyond region or language."
The group's decision came shortly after the Recording Academy unveiled five new Grammy categories for 2027, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance. The addition sparked debate online, with some welcoming the move as long-overdue recognition for Asian artists while others argued it could unintentionally separate them from the Grammys' most prestigious awards.
Seeking to clarify the intent behind the new category, Mason said it was established to recognize the "depth, diversity and extraordinary growth" of pop music coming from Asia.
"The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists," he said. "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."
Mason also addressed concerns that artists entering the Asian pop category would be excluded from competing in the General Field, which includes Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year.
"I also want to be very clear: submitting music in a genre category such as Asian Pop, or Jazz or Country does not exclude an artist from also submitting and being considered in the General Field categories," he said.
"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 added that the Recording Academy remains committed to honoring artists regardless of language or geography.
"The Grammy Organization is here to serve music and all the people who make it," Mason said. "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."
BTS, composed of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, has received five Grammy nominations throughout its career. The group is currently promoting "Normal," the latest official single from its fifth studio album, "Arirang," following its history-making performance at FIFA's first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show earlier this month.
