Drake Removes Himself From the Grammys
In a surprise move on Monday, 35‑year‑old Canadian rapper Drake has officially pulled his two Grammy nominations from the process, leaving the awards for Best Rap Album (for Certified Lover Boy) and Best Rap Performance (for Way 2 Sexy) vacant.
Sources close to the artist say the decision came straight from Drake and his team, but they haven’t revealed any concrete reason. The Recording Academy’s website was being updated that same day to reflect the sudden cancellation.
Why the Sudden Exit?
Drake’s relationship with the Grammys has always been a bit… rocky. While Certified Lover Boy was one of the hottest albums of 2021, the Canadian star has not been shy about airing grievances regarding the awards.
- Last year, he publicly slammed the Grammys for ignoring fellow Canadian The Weeknd.
- Back in 2019, he declined a Grammy performance slot, then criticized the ceremony right on stage.
- More recently, he questioned the award’s “opinion‑based” nature: “We’re playing in an opinion‑based sport, not a factual‑based sport,” he quipped while accepting a nod for God’s Plan.
In his own words, the infamous rap superstar felt the Grammys were “a business run by people who might not understand what a mixed‑race kid from Canada or a fly Spanish girl from New York has to say.”
Where It All Stands Now
The Recording Academy will still be pushing forward with its voting, but with Drake’s nods gone, that’s a big shift for the year’s lineup.
Jazz legend Jon Batiste leads the pack with a staggering 11 nominations, followed by the pop powerhouse Justin Bieber, breakout star Doja Cat, and the soulful H.E.R. Fans and critics alike are now wondering what could have pushed the Canadian rapper to throw his own accolades out the window.
Stay Tuned
The final ceremony is still scheduled for Jan 31 in Los Angeles, and as usual, the awards are sure to paint a colorful picture of who truly shined in 2024.
