The Grammys Built BTS a Beautiful Little Box—and BTS Refused to Climb Inside
An opinion on BTS, the Grammys, and the peculiar American habit of calling music universal until the lyrics arrive in another language I have to admire the Recording Academy’s talent for turning a celebration into a jurisdictional dispute. Only the Grammys could look at BTS—a group that has filled stadiums, dominated charts, mobilized one of the most formidable fan communities on Earth, and made the alleged language barrier look about as structurally sound as wet tissue—and conclude that what the situation really needed was another category. Not a reconsideration of what American pop means in a global culture. Not a serious examination of who gets treated as a central artist and who gets escorted toward the international annex. A category. A tasteful new compartment with flattering lighting and the word “inclusion” engraved above the door. BTS declined the invitation. In July, the group announced that it would not submit music for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards, scheduled for ...
