BTS’s History With The GRAMMY Awards: A Recap For 2022

From pre-2019 to now, here’s everything you need to know.

BTS has just been announced as part of the performance lineup for the 2022 GRAMMY Awards. Here’s a look back at their history with this world-famous awards show.

Pre-2019: Wishes And Dreams   

In 2019, BTS attended the GRAMMYs for the first time, but they began dreaming of it years before this. Suga was particularly vocal about this aspiration and, as ARMYs know, what Suga wants Suga gets!

Suga | Billboard/Youtube

In a 2018 interview, BTS was asked what the next step for them would be after they conquered Billboard. When Suga shyly mentioned the GRAMMYs, his members cracked up. Little did they know that “Minstradamus” had predicted the future.

| Billboard/Youtube

2019: Presenters

In 2019, BTS attended the GRAMMYs for the first time, as presenters. That same year, BTS’s record-smashing album, LOVE YOURSELF: Tear, was nominated for “Best Recording Package.” Although BTS’s music didn’t receive recognition at the GRAMMYs, this was the first step towards that goal.

…and we’ll be back.

— RM’s speech as presenter

This also marked the beginning of the complicated relationship many BTS fans have with the Recording Academy and the GRAMMYs. By 2019, BTS had achieved international success, smashed music and ticket sales records, and won major awards both at home and abroad.

At the 2019 American Music Awards, for instance, BTS won all three awards they had been nominated for: “Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock,” “Favorite Social Artist,” and “Tour of the Year.”

2020: Performers

In 2020, BTS sang on the GRAMMYs stage for the first time, as part of Lil Nas X‘s “Old Town Road” performance. Although BTS were once again not nominated for an award, they took another step forward while making one dream come true: performing at the show.

BTS performing with Lil Nas X | Billboard

News of BTS’s performance received mixed reactions from fans, who were disappointed that BTS would not be performing their own solo stage that year.

BTS were entered to be nominated in three of the four big GRAMMY categories (“Song of the Year”, “Record of the Year”, “Album of the Year”), along with “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance”,  “Best Music Video”, “Best Pop Vocal Album”, and “Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media”.

BTS attending the 2021 GRAMMY Awards | Billboard

2021: Nominees

In 2021, BTS were entered to be nominated for three categories for their 2020 album MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 (“Album of the Year”, “Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical”, and “Best Pop Vocal Album”). They were also entered to be nominated for “Song of the Year”, “Record of the Year”, “Best Music Video”, and “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance” for their BE single, “Dynamite”.

| HYBE/Facebook

Out of these potential categories, BTS received their first GRAMMY nomination, “Best Pop Duo/Group,” for their No. 1 Hot 100 single, “Dynamite.” The prize went to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for their collaboration “Rain On Me,” but BTS accepted the results graciously and thanked ARMY for their support.

You all worked hard to stay by our side until this hour. Thank you for cheering us on, and because of that we have been able to have such an unthinkable experience. Thank you ARMY from the bottom of my heart, I am happy. I love you!

— Jimin

At the 2021 GRAMMYs, BTS performed their own music for the first time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their rooftop performance of “Dynamite” was filmed in Seoul rather than performed live in person.

| @bts_bighit/Twitter

2022: Nominees And Performers

This year, BTS has once again been nominated for “Best Pop Duo/Group,” this time for their 2021 hit song, “Butter.” The list of nominees includes Coldplay‘s “Higher Power,” “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat featuring SZA, “I Get a Kick Out of You” by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, and “Lonely” by Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco.

| @bts_bighit/Twitter

In addition to being nominated, BTS will perform live and in-person for the first time ever on the GRAMMY stage. This time, fans hope that these superstars will finally take home the prize they deserve.

| @bts_bighit/Twitter

For more, see how fans are reacting to the latest news here:

BTS & The 2022 GRAMMYs? Here’s Why Fans Have Mixed Feelings

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