Grammy CEO Confirms Asian Pop Category Will Proceed for 2027 Awards Despite Controversy

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Oct 1, 2026 8:59am PT

Grammy Asian Pop Category Will Go Forward, CEO Says: ‘We Understand This Conclusion Will Not Satisfy Everyone’

By Jem Aswad

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Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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Grammy chief Harvey Mason Jr. has issued a statement in which he says the Awards’ controversial newest category, Asian Pop, will go forward for the 2027 ceremony.

Mason had previously signaled that the Recording Academy was reconsidering the new category in the wake of decidedly split reactions after it was announced in June. BTS in particular objected to the category , implying that it effectively ghetto-izes a genre of music more than highlighting it and saying they will not submit their music for Grammy consideration in 2027.

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_Originally reported by [Variety Music](https://variety.com/2026/music/news/grammy-asian-pop-category-will-go-forward-ceo-says-1236893738/)._