The Recording Academy Is Adding A New “Best Asian Pop Music” Award, Fans Heavily Divided
The Recording Academy is introducing a special category starting next year!
Recently, it was revealed that the Grammy Awards will be introducing a brand-new Asian pop category. The category will be titled “the Best Asian Pop Music Performance” and according to the academy its meant to “recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, with meaningful use of one ore more Asian languages.”
The recording academy is also adding 4 more categories next year, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album, and Best Latin Song.
The 69th Grammy Awards will take place on February 7, 2027.
The news came as a huge shock to fans who believe the academy is aiming to separate Asian acts from the broader American artists with this category inclusion, fans believe that creating a separate category could unintentionally signal that Asian music is “separate” from “real” pop music.
This adds to the longstanding backlash the academy has been dealing with when it comes to Asian American artists and their representation in the award show.
What do you think of this move?
