Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has responded to BTS's decision not to submit their music for the 69th Grammy Awards.
"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 said in a statement on July 30.
He also defended the newly introduced 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' category, which some fans have criticized as sidelining Asian artists from the main race. "The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia," he said, adding, "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."
Mason noted that submitting in the Asian Pop category does not exclude an artist from consideration in general fields such as Record of the Year and Album of the Year. BTS announced on July 29 that they hope music can be "heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language."
