Credit: HYBE
Thu 30 July 2026 9:45, UK
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr is “saddened” that South Korean boy band BTS have decided not to submit their latest album for Grammy consideration.
The group, who released their first album since 2020, Arirang, earlier this year, made their decision public earlier this week, with all seven members, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, taking to Instagram to issue a joint statement.
The statement reads, “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.”
BTS added, “We thank Army and everyone who has always stood by us.”
Now, Mason Jr has responded on behalf of the Grammys, writing, “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 also addressed the perceived reason for BTS deciding to snub the ceremony, which is the introduction of the ‘Best Asian Pop Music Performance’ category for 2027.
Mason added, “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 CEO said the decision to create the category is “to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists” and “never to divide”.
He also insisted, “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, including ‘Record of the Year’, ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’.”
Mason continued, “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.”
There has been a growing trend of artists rejecting the Grammys in recent years. In 2025, Morgan Wallen refused to submit his chart-topping album, I’m The Problem, despite it being among the biggest-selling records of that calendar year in the US.
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