Kanye West has reportedly been barred from performing at next month’s Grammy Awards due to the rapper’s recent behaviour online, which last week saw him briefly suspended from Instagram for violating the platform’s policies on hate speech, bullying and harassment.
Variety reports that a representative for West confirmed that he had been removed from performing at this year’s awards due to his “concerning online behaviour”. It cited a report from the Blast published late last week that said West’s team were informed last Friday that he had been removed from the lineup.
West was not announced as part of the initial lineup of performers for this year’s Grammys – which featured the likes of BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X – but is up for five awards, including Album of the Year, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Album.
West has attracted backlash for his behaviour of late, which has included targeting his ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her new partner, comedian Pete Davidson, both online and off.
In two separate music videos for ‘Eazy’, West’s collaboration with The Game, Davidson is seeing being physically attacked. After Trevor Noah – who is hosting this year’s Grammy Awards – spoke about West’s harassment, West targeted the Daily Show host on Instagram, using a racial slur, leading to his suspension from the platform.
This year’s Grammy Awards will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3. Leading this year’s nominations are Jon Batiste, Doja Cat, H.E.R. and Justin Bieber.
