Since BTS released a short but substantial statement on their thoughts on the submissions of their brand new album, “ARIRANG,” to the GRAMMYs, social media has never been the same.
The Recording Academy, which oversees the GRAMMY Awards, is currently between a rock and a hard place as they are reconsidering their controversial Best Asian Pop Music Performance category after BTS announced they will not submit music for the 69th GRAMMY Awards.
— [BTS Shakes Up the Grammys] "BTS Delivers a Powerful Message… That There Is No Need to Obsess Over the Grammys"
“I think BTS has sent a powerful message (to the music market).”
BTS’s refusal to submit entries to the Grammys holds symbolic significance in that it marks a… pic.twitter.com/USDkQs4y7S
— ♡ (@amlysbang) August 10, 2026
Harvey Mason Jr, the Recording Academy CEO, has cleared the air in a new statement that the organization is reviewing feedback from the music community surrounding the newly created Asian Pop category. Ultimately, the Recording Academy is receiving hate trains by BTS’ fans, better known as ARMY, stating the idols have worked so hard for this album to be entitled to this category instead of the main field.
“Regardless of our intent, it has become clear that some artists feel this category does not properly represent the music they have worked so hard to create.”
