BTS Declines Grammy Submission Amid New Category Controversy

BTS has made headlines by announcing their decision not to submit music for the 69th Grammy Awards, a move many attribute to the Recording Academy's newly established Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. The group expressed their desire for music to be appreciated for its artistry rather than being categorized by region or language. This unexpected choice has surprised fans, especially since a Grammy win has been a long-standing goal for the band. Their recent comeback has been commercially successful, with their album Arirang achieving significant sales. The Recording Academy has yet to respond to this development.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 29, 2026, 12:57 IST

BTS's Decision Not to Submit Music for Grammy Awards

On Wednesday, BTS announced that they will not be submitting their music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards. This decision has sparked discussions, particularly in light of the Recording Academy's recent introduction of the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Each of the seven members shared identical statements on their Instagram stories.

In their message, the group expressed, "We have chosen not to submit our music to the Grammys this year. Our hope is that music is appreciated for its essence, rather than being categorized by region or language." They concluded their statement by expressing gratitude to their fans and the ARMY.

The Korea Herald pointed out that no additional explanation was provided, and this choice surprised many, especially since a Grammy win has been a significant aspiration for BTS throughout their career.

In June, the Recording Academy announced five new categories for the upcoming ceremony, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, aimed at recognizing K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop artists whose work features significant use of Asian languages. BTS was widely anticipated to be a nominee in this category, especially following their strong comeback after completing mandatory military service.

This comeback has proven to be a commercial success. Their fifth album, Arirang, released in March, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 641,000 units in its first week—the best debut for a group in over a decade. Additionally, their single Swim topped the Hot 100 chart.

As of now, the Recording Academy has not commented on BTS's decision. Submissions for the 69th Grammy Awards opened on July 7 and will close in late August, with the ceremony set to take place in February.