The years 2022 and 2023 have witnessed the meteoric rise of BTS members as they embarked on individual musical journeys, carving out their own paths to stardom. For both avid music enthusiasts and devoted BTS fans, these years will undoubtedly be etched in their memory as a period of breakout successes and defining moments.
As solo artists, several members of the septet have thrilled the masses audiences with exciting new releases and garnered both critical acclaim and commercial triumph. While their breakout accomplishments would seemingly position them as prime contenders for Grammy recognition, a significant eligibility hurdle will exclude them from contention, but only in one category.
Despite their achievements and critical applause, the road to Grammy glory is not without its obstacles. None of the BTS members are eligible for the coveted Best New Artist Grammy. This may come as a surprise to some who haven’t paid close attention to the intricate and ever-changing rules of the awards, given the groundbreaking strides these artists have made within the music industry. Many of them emerged from a group as huge stars and talented musicians in their own right, so why is this the case?
The Best New Artist Grammy is traditionally bestowed upon artists who have experienced a breakthrough in the preceding tracking year, a period spanning from October 2022 to mid-September 2023 for this particular Grammy cycle. In an alternate reality, one where they weren’t connected to BTS, these artists would assuredly be in contention for the esteemed Grammy accolade. However, the stringent eligibility criteria prevent their participation in this category.
BTS, as a collective entity, has previously garnered several Grammy nominations. Their singles “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and the collaborative effort “My Universe” with Coldplay have secured nominations in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category. Also, the band’s collaboration with Coldplay led to a nomination for Album of the Year in 2023.
The limitation arises from a rule that curtails the eligibility of artists who have been previously considered for this award or have received nominations. This stipulation, though rooted in maintaining the integrity of the category, inadvertently sidelines individuals who have experienced a breakthrough, but find themselves barred from contention due to the recognition they’ve already received.
BTS members RM, Suga, Jimin, and Jung Kook have each carved out remarkable solo trajectories that encompass chart-topping albums and singles, and fellow singer V is planning on doing so very soon. Some have done so for the first time, while others have hit new highs after releasing music on their own in the past. No matter how huge or beloved these stars or their music may be, fans shouldn’t count on any Best New Artist nods coming their way.
This phenomenon is not unique to BTS; past instances of similar exclusions underscore the challenges that artists face as their careers evolve. Members of Fifth Harmony, for instance, found themselves excluded from the Best New Artist category post-split, not due to prior nominations, but due to the evolving nature of their artistic journey.
While they may not compete for Best New Artist, many of the members of BTS are eligible in other categories. Whether or not any of them end up as possible winners is yet to be seen, but there’s a case to be made that some, if not all of them, deserve at least to be included in the race.
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