K-pop powerhouse Stray Kids has announced they will not submit any of their music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards in 2027, a move that echoes a similar decision by global superstars BTS. This collective stance appears to be a growing protest against the Recording Academy's newly introduced Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
Growing K-Pop Stance Against New Category
The Recording Academy recently unveiled a new "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category for the upcoming 2027 awards cycle. However, this addition has not been met with universal acclaim within the K-pop community. Many prominent artists and industry figures perceive the new category as an attempt to relegate Asian and K-pop acts to a niche segment, rather than allowing them to compete in broader, more established categories like "Song of the Year" or "Best Pop Duo/Group Performance."
Despite significant pushback and criticism, the Recording Academy has confirmed its intention to proceed with the controversial category. In response, global sensation BTS made headlines by declaring a complete boycott of the 2027 Grammy Awards, with all seven members publicly stating their withdrawal from consideration via identical Instagram posts. Stray Kids' subsequent decision now signals a broader, unified stance among leading K-pop groups.
Stray Kids Opts Out Despite Academy Membership
The confirmation regarding Stray Kids' non-submission came on October 2, following reports that the group had missed the August 21 deadline for entry. A representative for JYP Entertainment officially verified, "Stray Kids did not submit any work to the Grammys." The agency, however, refrained from offering a specific rationale for this choice or commenting on any potential link to the new Asian Pop category.
This decision by Stray Kids is particularly noteworthy given that all eight members of the group were extended invitations to join the Recording Academy as voting members this year. This prestigious membership grants them the ability to participate directly in the nomination and final voting processes for Grammy awards, underscoring the significance of their non-participation.
Implications for the 69th Grammy Awards
Under the established regulations of the Grammy Awards, any musical work that is not formally submitted for consideration is automatically ineligible for nominations and will not appear on the voting ballots. Consequently, no music from either BTS or Stray Kids will be considered for the 69th Grammy Awards, which are slated to be held on February 7, 2027.
What's Next
While the Grammy situation unfolds, Stray Kids continues its successful "Run It World Tour," captivating audiences in major stadium venues across North America, Latin America, and Europe.
