SB19, BINI enter new Grammy Asian Pop category as P-pop eyes global recognition

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 14, 2026

Photo courtesy: Pop Planet | Pop World

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino pop groups SB19 and BINI have entered the inaugural Best Asian Pop Music Performance category of the 2027 Grammy Awards, putting P-pop into contention as the Recording Academy expands its recognition of music from Asian markets.

SB19 submitted “VISA” for Best Asian Pop Music Performance, while “LAWLESS” was entered for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. BINI, meanwhile, submitted “Unang Kilig” for the new Asian pop category, alongside entries for Best New Artist and Best Song Written for Visual Media for “A Parallel World.”

The entries are currently at the Grammy consideration stage and do not mean either group has been nominated. Recording Academy voting members are conducting first-round voting from October 12 to 22, which will determine the nominees to be announced on November 16. 

The Recording Academy created Best Asian Pop Music Performance as one of five new categories for the 69th Grammy Awards. Under its official rules, the award recognizes contemporary pop performances originating from or widely associated with Asian markets, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages required for eligibility. 

The Academy also makes clear that eligibility is determined by the music itself rather than an artist’s nationality or ethnicity. Fully English-language recordings are not eligible in the Asian pop category but can compete in other appropriate Grammy fields. 

For SB19 and BINI, the new category represents another avenue for Filipino music to reach a wider international audience.

Speaking to Billboard about their decision to participate, BINI members Aiah and Maloi described the category as “a door opening, not a box closing.”

SB19 leader Pablo likewise emphasized what recognition could mean for Philippine music, saying it could demonstrate that the Philippines is not merely a consumer market but also a source of original music with international potential.

The category itself reflects the growing international reach of Asian pop. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said Asian pop has become a significant and sustained force in the global music industry, pointing to the continued growth of K-pop, J-pop, Mandopop and other music from the region. 

Both Filipino groups have also been building connections with the Recording Academy. SB19 performed at the Grammy Museum in July, while BINI appeared there in April, where the group performed songs including “Unang Kilig.”

Whether SB19 or BINI advances will be known when the official Grammy nominations are announced on November 16. The 69th Grammy Awards will take place on February 7, 2027 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.