Drake has decided he doesn’t want any Grammy Awards in 2022 and has requested that his releases be withdrawn from contention.
Drake’s latest album, Certified Lover Boy, had been nominated for Best Rap Album and the single ‘Way 2 Sexy’ featuring Future and Young Thug was up for Best Rap Performance.
But a representative for the Recording Academy (the organisation behind the Grammys) told Variety of Drake’s request to have the nominations withdrawn. According to the Variety report, Drake’s decision was made in coordination his management, and the Grammys acquiesced. A reason has not yet been given.
There’ll be no replacement nominees added to the Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance categories, meaning it’ll now be a choice of four. The remaining nominees for Best Rap Performance are ‘Family Ties’ by Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar; ‘Up’ by Cardi B; ‘My Life’ by J. Cole, 21 Savage & Morray; and ‘Thot Shit’ by Megan Thee Stallion.
The four contenders for Best Rap Album are J. Cole’s The Off-Season, Nas’ King’s Disease II, Tyler, the Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost and Kanye West’s Donda. Of these albums, Donda is the only one also nominated for Album of the Year.
The 2022 awards will be handed out on Monday, 31st January at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. The most nominated artists are Jon Batiste, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Doja Cat. A handful of Australian acts are up for awards, too, including The Kid LAROI and Hiatus Kaiyote.
