Filipino Pop Acts Champion New Grammy Asian Category

Filipino pop groups SB19 and BINI have voiced strong support for the Recording Academy's new category, Best Asian Pop Music Performance, for the 69th Grammy Awards. Despite some artists' concerns about regional categorization, SB19 and BINI see this as a vital opportunity to elevate Filipino music globally. They believe it will demonstrate that the Philippines is a significant source of original, world-class music.

The Recording Academy introduced the category to recognize contemporary popular music from Asian markets, with submissions requiring meaningful use of Asian languages. While some, like BTS and Stray Kids, have opted out of submitting this year citing concerns about categorization, the Academy confirmed that many artists passionately supported the new award. SB19 and BINI's submissions include their songs 'VISA' and 'Unang Kilig,' respectively, aiming to highlight their cultural identity and performance capabilities.

SB19, known for hits like 'DAM' and their Lollapalooza performance, and BINI, popular for tracks such as 'Pantropiko' and their Coachella appearance, have worked extensively to break into mainstream conversations. They emphasize that this category should not be a 'ceiling' but an 'opening' for Asian artists, ensuring that participation doesn't preclude them from general field nominations. The nominations for the 69th Grammy Awards are set to be announced on November 16, 2026, ahead of the ceremony on February 7, 2027.