Jun 16, 2026 9:17pm IST
What Grammys’ New Changes Mean for Asian Powerhouse Performers Like BTS and BLACKPINK
The Recording Academy has revealed its plans to add five new categories to its upcoming editions. The addition of genres like traditional pop and traditional folk in the Grammy Awards comes in as a welcome change but the one improvement that this side of the globe can be excited about is the Best Asian Pop Music Performance category.
Grammys’ five new categories include Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Latin Song, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance and Best Traditional Folk Album. With this, the Grammys now have a whopping 100 awards to give out in the upcoming 2027 ceremony.
For Asians, it is a grand welcome to the Western music scene, one that celebrates their roots, their essence and their magnificence. Those like BTS and BLACKPINK member Rosé have had their fair share of fame but unfortunately that did not follow through with a trophy to their name. The update has a high chance of changing that, soon.
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As for Indian musicians, Anoushka Shankar and Ricky Kej have had amazing runs in the Best Global Music Album category but little can be said about mainstream musicians who have given chart-topping releases back home but are yet to make the mark with the golden gramophone.
The category aims to bring focus to the ‘widely recognized Asian markets’ and does not explicitly mention the Indian space. As per a statement on Grammy’s official site, “This Category 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 or more Asian languages. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).”
With performance being at the tail-end of the category’s name, the focus shifts to the names taking to the stage in more ways than one. Presenting an opportunity for Indians in the K-Pop scene which continues to dominate world music, the possibility of having even more collaborations between the two sonic forces has only gotten stronger.
The other change in the event comes in the form of having its Best New Artist eligibility format being updated. It has increased to four instead of three, allowing fresher artists to keep their hopes up.
The 69th Grammy Awards are all set to be held on February 7, 2027 in Los Angeles, California.
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