Drake has withdrawn his two Grammy nominations. A rep for the Recording Academy has confirmed to Variety. Reps for Drake did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sources told Variety that the decision was made by Drake and his management and that the Grammys honored the request, although his motivation was unclear.
Drake was one of five nominees for Best Rap Album, for “Certified Lover Boy,” and for Best Rap Performance, for his song “Way 2 Sexy” (featuring Future and Young Thug).
Drake has had a long and contentious relationship with the Grammys. A year ago, he called for them to be replaced with “something new that we can build up over time and pass on to the generations to come.” His statement was in response to the Grammys after they failed to recognize his peer and fellow Canadian artist the Weeknd in any of its 2021 categories; despite him having one of the top albums and singles of 2020, Drake also threw shade at the Grammys during his acceptance speech in 2019, when “God’s Plan” won Best Rap Song. The award’s show producers cut off his mic after he claimed awards hold no value.