Drake has reportedly opted out of the 2027 Grammy Awards, choosing not to submit music from any of his three albums released in 2026.
According to Billboard, the 39-year-old rapper has not submitted tracks from Iceman, Maid Of Honor or Habibti for consideration at next year’s ceremony.
The decision continues a pattern of Drake choosing not to enter some of his releases for Grammy consideration, following previous decisions involving More Life, Certified Lover Boy and Honestly, Nevermind.
Drake continues to stay away from Grammy submissions
Drake has not publicly given a formal explanation for his latest decision.
It comes after a turbulent period surrounding his relationship with the Grammys and the wider music industry. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” became one of the defining tracks of the 2025 Grammy Awards, winning five awards, including Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
Drake has continued to dispute the song’s treatment of him and is suing Universal Music Group over its promotion and distribution. He alleges that UMG backed a track containing defamatory claims about him.
Drake had also appeared to signal that he would not submit Iceman for Grammy consideration. On the album’s closing track, “Make Them Know”, he raps:
“This album, I’m never submittin’ it.”
Drake’s decision follows BTS Grammy boycott
The reported decision also comes as the Recording Academy faces criticism over changes to the Grammy categories.
BTS recently announced that they would not submit music for the 2027 Grammy Awards, objecting to the Academy’s newly introduced Asian Pop category.
The category includes a requirement for eligible songs to contain “meaningful use” of an Asian language. BTS argued that the criteria could restrict artists rather than properly recognising Asian music and its global reach.
All seven members shared the same statement announcing that they would not submit music, arguing that songs should be judged by their impact rather than geography or language.
The decision came despite BTS’ “Swim” being widely tipped as a potential contender for Song Of The Year. Because the song is performed entirely in English, however, it would not qualify for the new Asian Pop category.
Recording Academy responds to criticism
Recording Academy chief executive Harvey Mason Jr has acknowledged the criticism surrounding the new category and said the organisation had spent weeks speaking with artists who felt the award did not properly reflect the music they were making.
Mason stressed that the Grammys needed to ensure that different communities were properly represented and understood.
He said the Academy’s intention was to expand recognition rather than create divisions and indicated that changes could be made if artists did not feel properly represented by the new category.
When are the 2027 Grammys?
The 2027 Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place on 7 February 2027.
With Drake reportedly sitting out the submission process and BTS also refusing to submit music, attention will now turn to how the Recording Academy responds to criticism surrounding the new category and which major releases ultimately enter the Grammy race.
