In this op-ed, writer Ayan Artan examines how the new Grammys 2027 rules and categories, especially best Asian pop music performance, can be seen as part of a history of gatekeeping non-white artists from major award categories.
With the Grammy Awards's latest controversial move, the storied awards show seems destined to die in its Western-centric well.
Among the new rules is one that increases the number of times a musician can be submitted for best new artist.
Meanwhile, the new categories are: best Asian pop music performance; best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance; best traditional pop vocal performance; best traditional folk album; and best Latin song.
First, let us consider the broadly described “Asian pop music.” Read the official rules for the 69th Grammys here, in which this category is described, on page 17, as follows:
In this op-ed, writer Ayan Artan examines how the new Grammys 2027 rules and categories, especially best Asian pop music performance, can be seen as part of a history of gatekeeping non-white artists from major award categories.
In their cult-favorite song “Ddaeng,” BTS leader RM ends his verse with the following lines, per Genius translation: “You frogs who live up to your name / I hope you die in that well.”
Being a “frog in a well” is a Korean proverb based on a folktale about a frog who believes that his home—the well—is the start and end of the world, unaware that so much more exists beyond its stone wall. With the Grammy Awards's latest controversial move, the storied awards show seems destined to die in its Western-centric well.
On June 16, the Recording Academy announced several rule changes and five new categories that will go into effect for the 69th Grammy Awards, in 2027. Among the new rules is one that increases the number of times a musician can be submitted for best new artist. Meanwhile, the new categories are: best Asian pop music performance; best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance; best traditional pop vocal performance; best traditional folk album; and best Latin song.
But it’s that first new category I mention that has generated near-immediate discourse, largely because of what it implies about how the Grammys see music on a global scale, and how it continues a history of what many see as harmful gatekeeping. First, let us consider the broadly described “Asian pop music.” Read the official rules for the 69th Grammys here, in which this category is described, on page 17, as follows:
