Key Insights

• BTS’s decision not to submit their album ARIRANG has ignited discussions about the new Grammy category for Asian pop music.
• The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast analyzes the implications of BTS’s absence from the awards.
• Madonna and Kylie Minogue’s collaboration is highlighted with a preview performance at WorldPride Amsterdam 2026.
• Ariana Grande plans to take a break following her Eternal Sunshine Tour after releasing her album Petal.

Without even mentioning it by name, BTS sparked a major debate about the new best Asian pop music performance category at the 2027 Grammys with their bombshell decision last week not to submit music from their latest album, ARIRANG, for next year’s awards show.

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith take a closer look at that decision and at the category, and what it will look like without BTS in it.

We also discuss Madonna’s new “Love Sensation” remix with Kylie Minogue, which the pair previewed with a WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 performance over the weekend before the song’s arrival later this week. Plus: Ariana Grande’s rep announced over the weekend that the pop star/actress plans to step back following the end of her Eternal Sunshine Tour, after Friday’s release of her latest album, Petal. Listen to our full conversation below:

Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on how Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem is back at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time in nearly seven months. Plus, Charli XCX’s new Music, Fashion, Film debuts in the top three, and on the Billboard Hot 100, the entire top five are country songs for the first time ever, as Wallen’s new single “Been by Now” debuts in the top five, joining four other country carryovers.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)