Grammys CEO Responds to BTS Boycott: 'It's Never to Divide'

The Recording Academy has responded after BTS announced it will not submit its music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, a move widely seen as a boycott of the awards.

On Wednesday, the Recording Academy posted a statement from Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. through its official social media accounts. "I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision," Mason wrote.

BTS announced its decision through social media on Tuesday. "We have decided not to submit for this year's Grammy Awards," the group said. "We hope that music can be heard and loved as music itself, rather than divided by region or language." The announcement came after the Recording Academy introduced the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category last month, prompting many to interpret BTS' decision as criticism of the new award.

Addressing the controversy, Mason defended the intent behind the category. "I do want to clarify something that seems to be getting lost in the conversation. The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia. The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists. More categories mean more artists' work is recognized. It's never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters."

He also stressed that artists submitting to genre-specific categories remain fully eligible for the Grammys' top honors. "I also want to be very clear: submitting music in a genre category such as Asian Pop, or Jazz or Country does not exclude an artist from also submitting and being considered in the General Field categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

Those categories remain open to any eligible recording, regardless of genre. Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive. An artist can absolutely pursue both."

Mason concluded by reaffirming the Recording Academy's broader mission. "The Grammy organization is here to serve music and all the people who make it. As we continue to expand the reach, our membership and our awards, regardless of geography or language, I want to emphasize that we will continue to listen to the global music community and work to honor and celebrate all the artists whose music moves the world."

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.'s Statement