Sleep Deez
ON THE RECORD · 4 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“That’s what true global acceptance looks like. Music should be competing based on artistic excellence, not separated by geography or ethnicity. Imagine creating a category specifically because of where artists come from rather than allowing them to compete alongside everyone else. Even if the intention is positive, it can unintentionally reinforce the idea that they’re playing in a separate league.”
Sleep Deez · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-31
Sleep Deez argued that separating artists by geography or ethnicity can unintentionally reinforce the idea they are playing in a separate league.
“My concern isn’t with honoring Asian music, it’s with how that recognition is structured. Same with the Best African Music Performance category Grammy [introduced in 2024]. It’s a first step, but Africa has over 50 countries with different cultural and sonic influences that have trickled into western pop over the past decade.”
Sleep Deez · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-31
Sleep Deez expressed concern about how recognition for Asian music is structured, drawing a parallel to the Best African Music Performance category.
“I genuinely want Asian artists to receive recognition,”
Sleep Deez · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-31
Sleep Deez, who previously collaborated with BTS, told Rolling Stone he genuinely wants Asian artists to receive recognition.
“The long-term goal should be for artists from Korea, Japan, the Philippines, India, or anywhere else to compete naturally in the same categories as everyone else,”
Sleep Deez · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-31
Sleep Deez told Rolling Stone the long-term goal should be for artists from all countries to compete naturally in the same categories as everyone else.