Chinese artist Eric HZ weighs in on GRAMMYs’ new Asian pop category

Eric HZ, a Chinese singer-songwriter and CAFAC founder, joined a Recording Academy discussion on September 3 about the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category and what it could mean for Asian artists globally. He argued the category should expand visibility without boxing Asian musicians into a separate lane.

Why it matters: - The Recording Academy’s new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category gives Asian-language pop a bigger platform at the 69th Annual GRAMMY Awards. - Eric HZ used the forum to argue that recognition should widen access for Asian artists in global pop, not limit where they can compete. - The debate matters for Chinese, Korean and Japanese artists who are trying to build international careers without losing cultural identity.

What happened: - Chinese singer-songwriter, producer and cultural exchange advocate Eric HZ, also known as Zhao Hechen, joined the Recording Academy’s “A Conversation with Leaders in Asian Music” on Sept. 3. - The discussion focused on the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category and on how Asian music can stay culturally distinct while engaging the global music industry. - Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Chelsey Green, current trustees, music professionals and Asian music community representatives took part. - Chinese music producer Christian TJ, CEO of Notes Entertainment Group and president of the Chinese-American Federation of Arts and Culture, also participated.

The details: - The new GRAMMY category recognizes contemporary Asian pop from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including K-Pop, J-Pop and C-Pop. - The Recording Academy tied eligibility to meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. - Eric HZ said the category should help the world better see and understand Asian music, not separate it from the wider music landscape. - Eric HZ said language is part of cultural and artistic identity, not just a vehicle for lyrics. - Eric HZ added that Asian artists should still be considered for global Pop, R&B or other fields when their music fits those categories. - “Asian Pop should be a door, not a wall,” Eric HZ said. - Eric HZ said his own career, split between China and the United States, shapes his view of cultural exchange in music. - Eric HZ is founder and chairman of CAFAC and a co-initiator of the Chinese American Music Festival. - Through music, arts education and cultural programs, Eric HZ has worked to connect Chinese and American artists, audiences and communities. - Eric HZ said music can create curiosity about China’s language, people, stories and culture. - This year marks Eric HZ’s fifth straight year submitting music for GRAMMY consideration. - Eric HZ said the GRAMMY process keeps his work connected to the broader international professional community, even beyond awards.

Between the lines: - Eric HZ’s comments reflect a broader tension in global pop: how to celebrate regional identity without turning it into a category that narrows opportunity. - His framing suggests the new Asian pop class could be a gateway for visibility if it remains flexible about where artists can compete. - The emphasis on listening and cultural exchange also positions music as a diplomacy tool, not just an entertainment product.

What’s next: - The Best Asian Pop Music Performance category will debut at the 69th Annual GRAMMY Awards. - Eric HZ said he plans to keep using his music and CAFAC initiatives to push Chinese music into broader international dialogue. - He also aims to bring international experience and mutual-respect values back to Chinese-speaking music communities. - The Recording Academy’s move will be watched for whether it expands recognition for Asian artists without creating a ceiling around their genre ambitions.

The bottom line: - Eric HZ’s message was simple: recognition matters, but Asian music should be welcomed into the global center, not fenced off from it. - He said that listening itself is a form of respect.