Drake rejected or boycotted Grammys due to frustration with category placements (like winning rap awards for pop-leaning songs), feeling alienated by the Academy's choices, calling the awards an "opinion-based sport" where real success is fan connection, and protesting the system's perceived lack of transparency and exclusion, particularly regarding artists like The Weeknd, though he later submitted music again.
In 2022, after his album, "Certified Lover Boy" was nominated for best rap album and his single “Way 2 Sexy” was nominated for best rap performance, Drake asked the Recording Academy to remove his work from the nominations. The Academy honored Drake's request and rapper didn't attend the awards show.
The only person to refuse a Grammy is Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, who in 1991 declined the award for Best Alternative Music Performance for her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, protesting the music industry's "false and destructive materialistic values". She chose to boycott the ceremony and the award itself, viewing the Grammys as prioritizing commercialism over genuine artistry, says Far Out Magazine.
The Academy honored Drake's request and the rapper didn't attend the awards show. In 2023, although Drake refused to submit his 2022 album, “Honestly, Nevermind,” or any of its songs for consideration by the Grammys, he received four nominations. Once again, however, Drake boycotted the awards show.
“This is a business where sometimes it's up to a bunch of people that might not understand what a mixed-race kid from Canada has to say or a fly Spanish girl from New York, or a brother from Houston… the point is, you've already won if you have people who are singing your songs word-for-word, if you're a hero in your ...
All it took was a tweet from Kendrick Lamar to restart the feud, as he released his comeback track “Euphoria.” The six-minute diatribe was scathing, showcasing a bloodthirsty Lamar calling out Drake for using the N-word, questioning his fashion sense, his hip-hop merits and more.
Michael Jackson won a record-breaking eight Grammys in one night at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards in 1984 for his iconic album Thriller and its hit singles, a feat later tied by Carlos Santana in 2000, but Jackson remains the solo artist with the most wins in a single night, as noted by the official Grammy website, Billboard, and various news outlets like Reddit.
While the outcome of the 2024 Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake rap beef is debated, Kendrick Lamar is widely seen as the winner by fans and many media outlets, largely due to his critically acclaimed diss tracks like "Euphoria" and "Not Like Us," which became massive hits, while Drake faced backlash for allegations and his responses, solidifying Lamar's status as the public's choice, though some commentators still support Drake.
In 1991, Sinéad O'Connor made music history by becoming the only artist ever to refuse a Grammy Award.
Jay-Z criticized the Award show for its bias and referred to the boycotts of the Grammys such as Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff's boycott because the rap category was not televised and he also noted that he boycotted the Grammy himself when DMX released two top albums but was not nominated.
Milli Vanilli attracted controversy when Farian announced that Morvan and Pilatus did not sing their vocals and lip-synced for performances. Their vocals were instead provided by Brad Howell, John Davis, Charles Shaw, Jodie Rocco, and Linda Rocco. Their Grammy award was revoked.
During Grammys week, wedged somewhere between Miley Cyrus' incredible performance of her Grammy-winning song “Flowers” and Dua Lipa's Courrèges chainmail gown, social media users were posting the moment Taylor Swift accepted the Grammy for Album Of The Year—and allegedly snubbed Celine Dion in the process.
Adele: "I can't possibly accept this award!" Adele has apparently turned down the Grammy award for best album, saying Beyonce deserved it more.
Eminem explains why he'll never attend The Grammys Award Show again. 🚫“ The Grammys is useless, I warned them never to put my name or invite me . They use famous people to promote their award and give to people you can't even imagine. If I lose an award to Kanye or Kendrick , I can understand.
Overall, Drake has won 281 awards, including 5 Grammy Awards from 51 nominations. He has won a record 41 awards from 102 nominations at the Billboard Music Awards, including Artist of the Decade.
Here are some rappers that have never won the Grammy award • DMX • 2Pac • Pusha T • Mac Miller • MF DOOM • Nicki Minaj • Travis Scott • ASAP Rocky • Snoop Dogg • ScHoolboy Q • Wu-Tang Clan • Royce Da 5'9" • Notorious B.I.G A reminder that after all the hype, awards don't define a great rapper or artist.
Ariana Grande
“It was when my creativity & self-expression was stifled by you, that I decided not to attend.” Grande ended up skipping the show but didn't hold back on X when ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, who died five months earlier, lost out on a posthumous award despite his parents being invited to the show.
Drake is significantly richer than Kendrick Lamar, with estimated net worths in 2025 around $250 million compared to Lamar's $140 million, largely due to Drake's higher volume of music, diverse business ventures (like OVO Sound, endorsements, and investments), and massive streaming success, while Lamar's focus is on critically acclaimed, conceptually driven music, making Drake the financial frontrunner.
Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar for the song Not Like Us, in which Kendrick Lamar basically calls Drake and some of his associates pedophiles. The judge assigned to the case recently dismissed the suit, stating that the song's lyrics were non-actionable opinion.
Do artists get money for winning a Grammy? The short answer is no: Artists, producers, and/or songwriters do not get a check or monetary amount for winning an award.
LeAnn Rimes holds the record for youngest individual Grammy Award winner. At just 14 years old, Rimes won two Grammy Awards at the 39th annual ceremony in 1997, winning best new artist and best female country vocal performance. She also holds the record for youngest person to win the best new artist category.
The only person to refuse a Grammy is Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, who in 1991 declined the award for Best Alternative Music Performance for her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, protesting the music industry's "false and destructive materialistic values". She chose to boycott the ceremony and the award itself, viewing the Grammys as prioritizing commercialism over genuine artistry, says Far Out Magazine.