The 68th Grammy Awards are just months away, but the buzz around the upcoming ceremony has already begun – long before any official nominations are announced. However, it seems not all the buzz has been welcoming, as BLACKPINK’s Rosé has come under scrutiny over her controversial FYC campaign.
BLACKPINK’s Rosé has come under scrutiny. Credit: Instagram|roses_are_rosie
FYC campaigns already underway
Every year, artists submit their work for Grammy consideration. While official nominations won’t be announced until November, the submission period has closed, and hints at potential contenders have already surfaced. Among them, BLACKPINK’s Rosé has made headlines by sending out her For Your Consideration (FYC) packages to Grammy voters.
BLACKPINK Rosé with Bruno Mars. Credit: Instagram|roses_are_rosie
The Recording Academy allows these boxes to include complimentary copies of submitted music, alongside marketing materials. However, they must follow strict rules designed to ensure a fair and ethical voting process.
Inside Rosé’s FYC box
Rosé’s package reportedly contains a t-shirt and a promotional ad highlighting the achievements of her album APT. and the ad that boasts several streaming and sales milestones.
Inside Rosé’s FYC box. Credit: X|@BuzzingPop
Grammys rules for FYC promotions
The Recording Academy provides detailed guidelines for FYC campaigns:
- Promoting your work: Artists may send emails, mailings, social media posts, or website promotions about their eligible recordings.
- Artwork and descriptions: Campaigns may include project artwork and factual, brief descriptions of the music or creators.
- Project links: Direct links to the project or official Grammy resources are allowed.
- Free listings: Eligible releases can be listed on GRAMMY.com for the first round of voting.
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) September 19, 2025
What is forbidden:
- Using Grammy logos or trademarks
- Negative campaigning against other recordings
- Exaggerating achievements
- Sharing confidential information from entry lists or proprietary data
- Including personal pleas or references to the specific Grammy telecast
- Promoting other artists’ work
Controversy over streaming claims
Rosé’s FYC ad has drawn criticism over one particular claim: that her album achieved the “biggest streaming debut” for a Korean artist in the U.S. According to Billboard, APT. debuted with 31,000 SEA (streaming equivalent albums), calculated from 43.85 million on-demand streams.
However, BTS has multiple albums that surpassed this debut figure. Their album BE recorded 30,000 SEA (48.56 million streams), Proof had 36,000 SEA (52.84 million streams), and Map of the Soul: 7 tallied 48,000 SEA (74.79 million streams). Even removing Proof as an anthology and BE for lower SEA, Map of the Soul: 7 still exceeds Rosé’s totals.
BTS’ album Map of the Soul: 7. Credit: BIGHIT MUSIC website
When can the claim made by Rosé become accurate?
Some argue that if the claim is considered specifically for solo artist albums, it holds true. For instance, BTS’ Jungkook debuted his solo album Golden with 29,800 SEA (41.59 million streams), slightly lower than Rosé’s totals. Additionally, if “debut” is defined as a first chartable release, the statement could also be considered technically accurate.
According to the Grammys, exaggerating or overstating “the merits of the music, an achievement, or an individual” is not allowed – this could pose a serious issue for Rosé.
Fan and critic reactions
The vague wording of Rosé’s claim has drawn intense scrutiny, with fans and industry insiders questioning the accuracy of her FYC ad. While technically defensible depending on interpretation, critics argue it exaggerates the album’s accomplishments compared to other Korean artists, leading to widespread debate online.
The controversy quickly spilled onto X (formerly known as Twitter), where many users demanded that the Grammys disqualify her. This outcry has been intensified by the fact that Atlantic Records Group, her label, is reportedly backing her FYC campaign. Critics argue that the involvement of a major label with significant influence raises questions about fairness and access to Grammy voters.
And this is why they pay for these awards, ads views, playlisting, mediaplay…. Their only way to fill a song’s CV to send with gifts to the voters. pic.twitter.com/akSW6GYkc5
— ilna💜⁷ (Fan) (@sb_ilna) September 19, 2025
this is for song or album submissions that every artist makes to present their work to grammy voters. now notice how BTS never sent any gifts to the awards like Rosé is doing… https://t.co/iucD4uund6 pic.twitter.com/aZEHoVPt66
— alyy⁷ (@ywhh07) September 19, 2025
this is the payola that kpop stans have been accusing bts of for yearsor the bribery that zayn was talking about years ago. don’t be surprised if that girl gets the award. atlantic did the same thing with another artist last year. dont be surprised 🙂 https://t.co/mrgLsoagZn pic.twitter.com/uGzcTljN6p
— ︎🍒 (@amevvil) September 19, 2025
oh girl- pic.twitter.com/QyfBt9yHRr
— sdl ٭ (@_sdl93) September 19, 2025
[🚨] Rosé presents false achievements in its recommendation box for Grammys.
—The record “Biggest Streaming debut by Any Korean Artist in the US in the Billboard 200” belongs to another Korean artist. pic.twitter.com/UQEoU68W13
— KFlop Net (@KFloopNet) September 19, 2025
🚨 BLACKPINK’s Rosé is reportedly in an awkward position after breaching Grammy promotion rules by using chart numbers, sales figures, and a misleading achievement in her FYC campaign, violating the ‘Communications Cannot’ guideline https://t.co/mAiCE5LVnk pic.twitter.com/IRMFXvaOhV
— ra (@Tanideull) September 19, 2025
Grammy prohibits mentioning commercial success in booklets. Also gifts as in concert tickets/ merch items are prohibited too. In a perfect world this girl should be disqualified. https://t.co/h7UIy3iCrN
— Butterfly (@btsontiktok) September 19, 2025
It remains to be seen whether Rosé will face consequences and be disqualified from Grammy nominations, or if the Recording Academy will overlook the criticism and still give her a nod.
