Filipino hitmaker weighs in on BTS Grammy snub debate, says global success merits General Field recognition.
Filipino composer and music producer Jonathan Manalo has weighed in on BTS’ decision to skip this year’s Grammy Awards, arguing that while the newly created Asian Pop category is a welcome addition, it should not prevent globally successful acts like the K-pop supergroup from competing for the Grammys’ biggest honors.
In a Facebook post, Manalo said BTS has already reached the level of international success that merits consideration in the General Field categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.
He said the group’s global impact places them alongside the world’s biggest crossover artists and that their achievements deserve recognition beyond region-specific categories.
At the same time, Manalo defended the Recording Academy’s decision to introduce an Asian Pop category, saying discussions about award structures should be separated from issues of racism and inclusivity.
According to Manalo, major music awards have historically reflected the markets and cultural ecosystems they primarily serve. He cited the Grammys’ North American focus, noting that nominees often differ from those recognized by the UK’s BRIT Awards, Australia’s ARIA Awards, South Korea’s MAMA Awards and Melon Music Awards, Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards, and Japan’s Japan Record Awards.
He said the Asian Pop category creates another pathway to recognize outstanding recordings from the region that may have achieved tremendous artistic, cultural, or commercial success in Asia without necessarily becoming crossover hits in North America.
Manalo stressed that the category was never intended to separate Asian artists from the Grammys’ top prizes. Instead, he said, artists whose music genuinely crosses over into the North American market remain fully eligible for the General Field regardless of race or nationality.
His remarks echoed a statement released by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., who clarified that artists can submit recordings in both genre-specific categories, including Asian Pop, and the General Field, adding that the two are not mutually exclusive.
BTS earlier announced that it would not participate in this year’s Grammy Awards process, triggering debate among fans over whether the new Asian Pop category sidelines Asian artists. While acknowledging that politics, lobbying, and industry influence have long been part of major awards shows, Manalo said the Recording Academy has consistently broadened representation through new categories rather than narrowed it.
He maintained that the goal should be to expand recognition for more artists while ensuring that acts with proven global crossover success, such as BTS, continue to compete for the Grammys’ most prestigious awards.
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