Global supergroup BTS has announced they will not submit their music for consideration at the 69th Annual Grammy Awards, expressing a desire for their work to be heard and loved without being divided by region or language.
In a surprise announcement posted simultaneously to the individual Instagram accounts of all seven members — RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — BTS confirmed they will not submit their music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, scheduled to take place on February 7, 2027. The group's statement read: "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 decision comes just over a month after the Recording Academy unveiled a new category for Best Asian Pop Music Performance, an addition that was widely interpreted as a direct response to longstanding criticisms that the awards system has historically marginalized non-Western and non-English-language music. The Academy described the new category as one that "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." BTS had previously been nominated multiple times in categories such as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video but had never won, despite being one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed acts in global music history. All seven members have been voting members of the Recording Academy since 2019.
Expectations had been especially high heading into next year's ceremony. The group released their fifth studio album Arirang in March, following the completion of the members' mandatory military service, and the record debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's major singles and albums charts, generating massive global response. BTS is currently embarked on their "World Tour Arirang," having recently completed the European leg in Paris. They also made history on July 19, 2026, performing during the halftime show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final at MetLife Stadium — the first halftime show in the tournament's 96-year history — sharing the stage with Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber.
Industry analysts suggest the decision reflects a growing sentiment among global artists that the Grammy Awards still operate with a Western-centric framework, even as it attempts to broaden its scope. By choosing not to participate, BTS sends a powerful message: that their music stands on its own merits, regardless of industry categorization or regional distinctions.
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