So it’s not like the group needs a Grammy, which could explain why BTS is declining to submit their music for consideration this year.
As previously announced, the Grammys are introducing a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, where BTS would be presumed front-runners.
Previously, BTS has been nominated in the pop categories, alongside the generals like Album of the Year, but has never won.
Now, instead of competing with Lady Gaga, Doja Cat, and Sam Smith (all of whom they’ve lost to previously), BTS would be even more siloed.
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Photo: Li Ming/Xinhua via Getty Images
BTS’s Arirang is not an album that requires more validation. This April, the band’s comeback record debuted atop the “Billboard 200” with the biggest single week of the year so far, moving 641,000 album equivalent units, more than chart-toppers like Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, and Drake. In their home country of South Korea, their debut week was even better: Arirang sold a staggering 4.2 million copies. So it’s not like the group needs a Grammy, which could explain why BTS is declining to submit their music for consideration this year. “We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” BTS shared in a joint statement on Instagram on July 29. “We are always grateful to ARMY and everyone who is always with us.”
The short statement implies that the group is not happy with the award show’s decison to divide music categories regionally. As previously announced, the Grammys are introducing a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, where BTS would be presumed front-runners. “This category 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,” the Academy said when it announced the category. Previously, BTS has been nominated in the pop categories, alongside the generals like Album of the Year, but has never won. Now, instead of competing with Lady Gaga, Doja Cat, and Sam Smith (all of whom they’ve lost to previously), BTS would be even more siloed. So the boys with luv are opting out entirely.
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