Grammy-Winning Songwriter Derrick Milano on BTS’ Grammy Hopes, World Cup Halftime Song Picks, and K-pop Collaboration Wishlist
After their recent triumph at the 52nd American Music Awards on Tuesday, where they swept all three nominations including Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer for “Swim,” and Best Male K-pop Artist, global sensation BTS is now setting their sights on a monumental achievement: winning a Grammy. This prestigious award remains an uncharted territory for an active K-pop idol group, a goal that continues to drive the band.
For Derrick Milano, the acclaimed Grammy-winning songwriter and producer who contributed to six tracks on BTS’ latest album, “Arirang,” the group’s aspirations for a Grammy are well within reach.
“I think they’re gonna achieve it,” Milano confidently stated in an interview with The Korea Herald on May 20, just days before BTS’ latest American Music Awards win in Las Vegas. “The work speaks for itself.”
Milano, renowned for his collaborations with music icons such as Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Megan Thee Stallion, played a pivotal role in crafting six songs featured on BTS’ highly successful “Arirang” album: “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “Normal,” “Merry Go Round,” “Swim,” and “2.0.”
While BTS previously made history as the first K-pop act to secure Artist of the Year at the AMAs in 2021, their fervent desire for a Grammy Award has been consistently expressed. Despite a Grammy win earlier this year for the fictional Netflix act Huntrix, the ultimate prize remains for a traditionally formed K-pop idol group.
Milano revealed that what truly captivated him was not just the immense scale of BTS’ success, but also the profound dedication and intense involvement the members demonstrated throughout every phase of the project.
“They sold out their world tour. Individually, they’re doing brand deals. In the midst of their brand deals, they’re performing the same records, they’re continuing to push these records,” Milano highlighted, emphasizing their relentless work ethic.
He further lauded the group’s exceptional teamwork and their continuous efforts in promoting the “Arirang” album through strategic collaborations and dynamic performances.
“I’m seeing more choreography dance videos with different group members,” he remarked. “It’s like, ‘now, we in this as a team.'”
For Milano, the “Arirang” album already embodies the quality of a Grammy-level body of work, irrespective of official nominations, which are yet to be announced.
“The numbers are crazy, and the music is fire,” he enthused. “It’s a really cohesive album from top to bottom. I can listen to it all the way through, over and over and over again. For me, that’s a Grammy Award-winning album.”
Among the standout tracks he contributed to, Milano specifically highlighted “Swim,” which triumphantly topped the Billboard Hot 100. He attributed the song’s widespread appeal to its universal message, allowing it to resonate far beyond BTS’ dedicated fanbase.
“Hearing it on radio, hearing it in stores, hearing it in commercials,” he recalled. “‘Swim, swim.’ It’s just something that sticks with people.”
BTS songs built for stadiums
Milano also offered his expert insights on BTS’ highly anticipated performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show in the US this July. The K-pop superstars are slated to headline this global event alongside legendary artists Madonna and Shakira.
When asked to suggest which BTS songs he believes would best electrify such a monumental global sports stage, Milano immediately singled out “Hooligan.”
“If it was me to say what I feel like they would do — maybe ‘Hooligan,'” he shared.
He also mentioned “Body to Body” and “Swim,” emphasizing BTS’ unparalleled performance energy and ability to captivate an audience.
“It’s just so many great songs,” Milano noted. “What’s gonna get those people moving? They’re amazing performers.”
However, if Milano himself were tasked with making the ultimate song choice for the iconic World Cup final stage, he revealed he would pivot in a dramatically different direction.
“I would do ‘Normal,'” he declared. “I feel like it would get everybody in the stadium to put their phone lights up and just light up the whole arena.”
Milano vividly described the emotional and powerful image he envisions for this particular performance: BTS standing before a packed stadium at the world’s biggest sporting event, with millions of fans singing along, their phone lights illuminating the night.
“Like, look where we took this from. Look where we are. Look how far we worked,” he reflected, capturing the profound journey of the group. “‘We’re literally performing at the World Cup halftime show, and this is what we call normal?'”
K-pop acts Milano wants next
Beyond his successful work with BTS, Milano expressed a growing fascination and deep interest in the broader K-pop industry, a connection that has strengthened after collaborating closely with various K-pop artists and producers.
Among the burgeoning K-pop acts he eagerly hopes to collaborate with in the near future are Katseye and Seventeen, both highly popular groups.
Milano observed that both Katseye and Seventeen appear keen to musically innovate and experiment, rather than adhering to a single, established formula.
“It seems like they’re in that phase right now where they’re looking for something new,” he stated, highlighting their creative ambition.
Rather than merely producing a single main track, Milano articulated his aspiration to eventually help shape entire K-pop projects, from initial concept to final release, embodying a more comprehensive artistic role.
“If I come in, it’s to help curate the whole project,” he explained. “Kind of like Quincy Jones — to see everything through from the beginning to the end.”
Milano also shared a strong affection for Cortis, a rookie boy band with whom he has maintained a close professional relationship since their debut in August. He highly praised the members’ openness to exploring new sounds and their willingness to evolve creatively within the dynamic K-pop landscape.
“They’re young, and they’re open to trying new music, they’re open to doing new things,” he emphasized. “I really want to learn more and understand what they want to do, and be able to adjust my style and my sound to continue to keep elevating and working with them.”
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