Why Stray Kids joined BTS in boycotting Grammys: Here's everything to know

Stray Kids have become the latest major K-pop act to boycott the Grammy Awards, following BTS in declining to submit music for consideration at the 2027 ceremony.

The move comes after the Recording Academy confirmed its controversial new Asian music community. Critics argue the award ghettoises genres like K-pop and J-pop, keeping Asian artists out of the main categories.

In the official statement, the group said: “Stray Kids didn’t submit for the Grammys.” The group, which recently scored their ninth U.S. number one album, had previously avoided direct comment on the awards. At an August press conference, member Hwang Hyun-jin said: “We have never once set award results or records as our goal. Our top priority is for our fans to be happy and satisfied.”

In July, BTS announced their boycott, saying their music “can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.” The group has received five Grammy nominations but has never won.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. confirmed the category would proceed, saying: “We understand this conclusion will not satisfy everyone…. But we are confident it’s the right conclusion for the music community overall.”

He said the loudest feedback came from supporters of the category. The award requires nominated songs to make “meaningful use” of an Asian language, a rule that excludes BTS and Blackpink’s recent all-English releases. The Academy said it received a “robust” number of submissions.