Ever because the ascent of BTS, the Grammys have been Okay-pop-curious, however not sometimes in its marquee classes. This yr marks a notable change — a number of acts with roots in Okay-pop have major-category nominations, which suggests the Academy has embraced the style as a staple a part of pop music.
First off, whereas the success of “KPop Demon Hunters” and its flagship soundtrack single, “Golden,” would possibly want a qualifier for being a bit of movie music for a fictional band, the tune’s nomination for music is a milestone. It caps an enormous yr for the animated women of Huntr/x — additionally they scored nods in pop duo/group efficiency, remixed recording and music written for visible media. No matter comes subsequent for the human artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and “Golden” co-songwriter Mark Sonnenblick, it’s a part of an enormous second for Okay-pop within the Grammys’ high classes.
They’re removed from alone there, although. Rosé of Blackpink had a monster hit with Bruno Mars on “Apt.,” which scored much more High 4 nods in report and music and pop duo/group efficiency. The snazzy Motown rocker was one of many yr’s simple singles, hitting No. 3 on the Scorching 100.
These nods confirmed simply how far the Blackpink members’ solo careers can attain into the broader music and leisure industries — together with TV, main festivals, the Scorching 100 and now the Grammys elite classes.
A Okay-pop act lastly received a brand new artist nod as properly, with the polyglot lady group Katseye touchdown alongside Addison Rae, Lola Younger and Sombr. The band was conceived as a worldwide twist on what constitutes as Okay-pop, given the members’ diversified backgrounds (they hail from america, the Philippines, South Korea and Switzerland, and skilled underneath BTS’ mum or dad label, Hybe, in america).
“Stunning Chaos” hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and the group’s “Gabriela” additionally received a nomination for pop duo/group efficiency, so the experiment clearly resonated with Academy voters by itself phrases.
Whereas Grammy voters have usually regarded upon Okay-pop as a fandom phenomenon greater than a musical one, this yr’s class suggests the style has been taken by itself phrases like every piece of pop, which may solely bode properly for its future on the Academy.
