J-Pop History: SKY-HI and BE:FIRST Appointed as Grammy Voting Members for 2026

A new chapter has been written in the history of the Japanese music scene. SKY-HI, CEO of the music management label BMSG, and selected members of the agency's seven-member boy group BE:FIRST, have been chosen as new members of the Recording Academy (the organization behind the Grammy Awards) for 2026. With this selection, they have secured voting rights for the 69th Grammy Awards and eligibility to attend the prestigious ceremony.

The Recording Academy is an exclusive, invite-only membership organization for music professionals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and made significant contributions to the global music industry. This year, approximately 3,600 music industry figures worldwide were welcomed as new members, with SKY-HI and BE:FIRST among them. For not only an individual artist but also members of a group to be recognized by an international music organization as voters is an exceptionally rare and historic achievement.

Following this historic news, social media has been flooded with messages of joy and congratulations from fans. Comments include: "A massive step toward the global stage that BMSG has always championed. Huge congratulations!", "SKY-HI's passionate dream to 'bring the Japanese music scene to the center of the world' has finally earned a voice at that very center," and "The door to taking on the world has truly opened." Fans are deeply moved to see the group's journey and achievements validated on a global scale.

Furthermore, this development aligns with recent changes at the Grammys, such as the introduction of the "Best Asian Pop Music Performance" category. This is fueling expectations that Asian music will command an even greater presence in the global mainstream. As SKY-HI and BE:FIRST continue to expand the possibilities of J-pop, all eyes will be on their next move.

The Context: Who are SKY-HI and BE:FIRST?

SKY-HI (Mitsuhiro Hidaka) is a prominent Japanese rapper, producer, and member of the veteran co-ed group AAA. In 2020, he founded BMSG (which stands for "Brave, Massive, Share, Groove"), a management label and talent agency aimed at breaking the traditional boundaries of the Japanese entertainment industry and nurturing artists capable of competing internationally. BE:FIRST was formed in 2021 through the survival audition show "THE FIRST," which was entirely self-funded and produced by SKY-HI. Since their debut, the group has dominated Japanese charts with their top-tier vocals and high-intensity choreography. Their inclusion in the Recording Academy represents a major milestone for the recognition of modern J-pop on the international stage.

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