K-pop groups BTS and Stray Kids have announced they will boycott the 2027 Grammy Awards. The move comes after the introduction of a new category for Asian pop music, which critics fear will ghettoize genres like K-Pop and J-Pop. BTS announced their boycott in July, saying they hoped their music "can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language". Stray Kids' record label, JYP, confirmed they did not submit for the Grammys.
Stray Kids recently scored their ninth US number one album and had previously refrained from giving a direct answer to questions about the awards. During a press conference for their latest album, 'This and That', in August, singer Hwang Hyun-jin said the group's top priority is for their fans to be happy and satisfied. The news will come as a blow to the Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammys. Stray Kids are phenomenally popular in the US and recently headlined the Governors Ball festival in New York.
The Recording Academy announced the new category in June, saying it would recognize "artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets". The prize had been under discussion for years and was introduced after Golden, from the movie K-pop Demon Hunters, became the first K-Pop song ever to win a Grammy this February. However, the award received a mixed reception, with many feeling it would stop Asian artists from receiving recognition in the main categories.
The new category has sparked controversy, with some musicians feeling it ends up being exclusionary, with their music segregated from mainstream prizes like album or song of the year. The arguments against the Asian pop award are similar to those made by Latin artists about Grammy categories such as best música urbana. The perception was challenged this year when Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language album to win album of the year.
Stray Kids' announcement came hours after Grammys boss Harvey Mason Jr confirmed the new Asian pop category would go ahead at the 2027 ceremony. He said the Academy had been conducting listening sessions and had been in dialogue with leaders of the Asian music community. The Academy would continue to have discussions over the development of the award, but the decision "will not satisfy everyone".
BTS and Stray Kids would have been eligible to compete for the prizes, but have decided to send a message to the Recording Academy instead. Other major acts may have followed suit, with Kim Hong-joong, leader of the popular boyband Ateez, saying he had been impressed by BTS's stance. The Grammy nominations are due in December and will reveal who decided to enter their music for consideration.
The boycott by BTS and Stray Kids is a significant blow to the Grammys, with both groups being prominent K-pop acts. The Recording Academy will need to consider the feedback from the Asian music community and revisit the new category to avoid further controversy. The nominations for the 2027 Grammy Awards will be revealed on December 10.
Key points
- K-pop groups BTS and Stray Kids boycott 2027 Grammy Awards over new Asian pop category
- The new category has sparked controversy, with some musicians feeling it ends up being exclusionary
- The boycott by BTS and Stray Kids is a significant blow to the Grammys
