Grammys removes BTS' videos following boycott - The Korea Times

The global music sensation BTS has taken a definitive stand regarding their participation in the Grammy Awards, announcing they will not submit new music for the 69th ceremony scheduled for February 7, 2027. This development follows closely on the heels of the Recording Academy’s decision to remove official videos of BTS’s past Grammy performances from its website, a move that has stirred significant discussion among fans and industry observers alike.

Previously available live recordings of BTS’s hits, including the 2021 chart-topper "Dynamite" and the 2022 single "Butter," have been quietly pulled from the Grammys’ digital platforms. Although these performances remain accessible on BTS’s own channels, their absence from the Recording Academy’s site has generated speculation about the motivations behind this removal. The Academy has not provided any official explanation for the change.

The timing of the video removals is notable, coinciding with BTS’s public announcement that they will abstain from submitting any music for Grammy consideration next year. The band collectively conveyed their decision in a statement emphasizing a hope for music to be valued universally, without barriers of language or geographic origin.

Central to the controversy is the Grammy Awards’ newly instituted category for Best Asian Pop Music Performance, unveiled just two months before the deadline for submissions. This category includes a stipulation that qualifying songs must feature at least one Asian language, a criterion that has drawn criticism for potentially sidelining artists like BTS, whose latest album "ARIRANG" predominantly comprises English-language tracks.

Critics argue that the introduction of this category risks segregating Asian artists into niche segments, thereby limiting their eligibility for more prestigious awards such as Song of the Year. This perspective suggests that rather than providing broader recognition, the category may inadvertently confine Asian musicians to a distinct subset within the awards structure.

Among those voicing concern is Ted Chung, CEO of Hyundai Card and a notable advocate for music and cultural events in Korea. Chung challenged the premise of segregating artists by language or region and questioned whether similar treatment would be appropriate for Latin artists like Bad Bunny or Ricky Martin, whose works often incorporate English or Spanish interchangeably.

In response to the unfolding situation, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed regret over BTS’s withdrawal but underscored the intent behind the new category as an effort to elevate Asian artists within the global music scene. Mason conveyed respect for BTS’s choice while defending the category as an initiative to diversify recognition.

Industry insiders have pointed out potential drawbacks to creating region-specific awards. They caution that such categories could lead to the marginalization of non-Western artists, restricting their exposure and recognition to narrower segments rather than integrating them fully into the mainstream awards conversation.

Following the removal of BTS’s videos from the Grammy website, fans worldwide have taken to social media to re-share and preserve the performances, reinforcing the band's enduring impact on the music industry and their historic presence at the Grammys.

As the dialogue continues, the situation highlights ongoing tensions within the global music community about cultural representation, inclusivity, and the evolving criteria for artistic recognition at major award events. Details about the Recording Academy’s future plans for category adjustments or responses to the backlash remain limited at this time.