“The genre is BTS”
Over the years, BTS has encompassed numerous genres. Their music has been described as K-Pop, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and everything in between. But now, the members say that BTS is its own genre entirely.
During an interview with GRAMMY.com on February 22, the group was asked whether they’re interested in exploring any new genres in the future. But , , , and had surprising answers.
Instead of listing traditional genres BTS hasn’t focused on much, such as funk or folk, Suga said he thinks the whole concept of genres isn’t even that important in today’s music scene.
I think it’s less and less meaningful to divide music into genres now.
— Suga
Jungkook, V, and J-Hope went on to add a bold statement that really encompasses what the group is about: “The genre is BTS”.
In the past, many ARMYs have said BTS deserves its own genre, often referring to their music as “BTSpop”. But now, even the group members themselves are owning the idea of BTS as a new genre on and of itself.
The genre is BTS. That’s the genre we want to make and the music that we want. New genre.— Jungkook, V, and J-Hope
In the interview, the members also discussed how the Map of the Soul: 7 album encompassed their individual ideas and growing knowledge of music. That considered, it’s no surprise that they don’t want to be confined by genre norms.
I think individually, it really contained what we wanted to put into the music and the ideas that we have… Thanks to [BTS], I think I learned more about music.
Jungkook
Suga also went on to talk about the idea of K-Pop as a genre too. He explained that instead of people seeing K-Pop as a genre on the rise, he wants people to recognize all types of Korean artists on their own merit.
Rather than be recognized as the rise of a genre or the rise of K-pop as a genre, I would like more talented Korean artists to be better known around the world… it’s really amazing to have this small country and so many talented people coming out of it.— Suga