I don’t have a project that was up for submission this year so I initially did not think much of the announcement. But I did wonder, how are they going to define ‘Asian’? I took another look at it after BTS announced their boycott. Although the intentions of the Grammy may have been good, this is a category that is going to create segregation between artistes.
When it comes to how smaller bands and bigger artistes will be affected – if you look at past winners of the pop category, relatively unknown persons rarely win. Similarly, only famous K-Pop, J-Pop, and C-Pop bands will win this category. But with BTS, who had huge success with ‘Arirang’ this year, they would have had no option but to enter it in this particular category. Even if they didn’t, and choose Pop Performance or the Best Pop Music, the Grammys have screening committees which screen and reassign submissions, and they would have likely been reassigned to Asian Pop Music. From personal experience, decisions are not appeal-able. Now, if I was BTS, I would want to compete with the Lady Gagas, Adeles and Taylor Swifts of the world and win in a category with some history to it. It would feel almost insulting to win in a category that seemed tailor made to give me an award.
Another issue with the category is that it is not about the whole of Asia but just East Asia. It could have been defined a little better because there are so many forms of music in Asia, especially traditional ones. [By just acknowledging pop], another problem comes up – music which has an American style and method of production may be rewarded. The Academy is scaling to go global but at the same time, is avoiding music that does not conform to American sensibilities.
To truly have diversity, the Grammys need to fortify its voting body. When they want to consult about Asia, they need to look at people who live in Asia, not just diaspora in America who are extremely valuable but are not sensitised to the ground realities here. Most times, their approach towards music and business is completely different. I believe they don’t bring in people outside America enough which is why BTS has not won yet, despite probably being more famous than any other mainstream American artiste, in the rest of the world.
(As told to Mahima Nagaraju)
BTS’ reaction justified, says musician Behram Siganporia
“My initial reaction was that it’s a great move because many Asian acts deserve to be on that stage with great music coming out of Asia until I learned that when they say ‘Asian’ they only mean K-Pop, C-Pop but not Indian artistes. BTS is among the biggest acts in the world. Their reaction is justified because they are in the same league as Bruno Mars, Coldplay and Taylor Swift. For Indian artistes though, a Grammy could change our lives, it leads to more shows and helps us get recognised on the global stage. Like Latin American Artists who are now ruling the charts with people all around the world singing Spanish and even K-Pop songs, I hope an Indian band or an artiste will also be on the Grammy stage one day and change the way Indian music is perceived globally.”