“I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision,” Mason Jr. wrote. The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia. In his statement, Mason Jr. said the genre categories don’t”exclude an artist from also submitting and being considered in the General Field.” “Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive,” Mason Jr. said. The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia.