The music industry is buzzing in anticipation of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. This year, the spotlight shines intensely on the surging wave of K-pop, which continues to solidify its dominance on the global stage. Leading the charge are Rosé, with her highly successful solo endeavors, and the powerhouse group BLACKPINK, whose collective achievements are actively redefining the genre's historical trajectory.
The critical initial phase of voting by Recording Academy members is set to take place between October 3 and October 15, 2025. This two-week window marks the culmination of a lengthy submission process that officially began back in July.
Several high-profile submissions are generating significant buzz. Among the most discussed entries is Rosé’s collaborative track with Bruno Mars, "APT." Equally notable is "Golden," produced by the virtual ensemble HUNTR/X, which features prominently on the soundtrack for the film KPop Demon Hunters. Both tracks have been submitted for consideration in the prestigious general field categories: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Furthermore, Rosé’s solo album, "rosie," alongside the full soundtrack for KPop Demon Hunters, are vying for nominations in the Album of the Year category.
The single "APT." stands out as one of the most impactful releases of the decade. This bilingual track, performed partially in English and Korean, shattered records by surpassing two billion views on YouTube. Remarkably, it achieved this milestone in just 10 months, securing its place as the fastest music video in history to reach that viewership count.
Beyond its visual success, "APT." also dominated streaming platforms. It previously set a record as the fastest K-pop song to cross the one billion stream threshold on Spotify. Its unprecedented popularity led to its inclusion in the lists of the best songs of 2025, as recognized by influential publications such as NME and Rolling Stone. In a testament to its global reach, "APT." secured the second-place spot for the fastest song ever to reach one billion streams across all platforms, trailing only the legendary collaboration between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, "Die with a Smile."
Rosé’s status as a leading contemporary K-pop artist was cemented earlier when she won the MTV Video Music Award 2025 for Song of the Year for "APT." The competition for this year's Grammy nominations is fierce, involving numerous other major K-pop acts. These include industry giants like SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, BLACKPINK, and TWICE, along with solo artists such as Lisa, Jennie, and J-Hope of BTS fame.
In a significant move aimed at ensuring fairness and minimizing potential bias, the Recording Academy is implementing a new system for the first time in Grammy history. This innovation involves the random sorting of artist names on the voting ballots, guaranteeing equal visibility for all participants. Fans worldwide will be able to tune into the ceremony live via CBS and Paramount+. The Recording Academy will also provide real-time coverage and access through its official YouTube and TikTok channels, allowing the global audience to join the celebration of music, spectacle, and inspiration.