Drake doesn't care. Or at least, that’s what he wants you to think every time February rolls around and he’s thousands of miles away from the Crypto.com Arena. While other A-listers are sweating through tuxedo fittings and practicing their "I’m just happy to be nominated" faces, the 6ix God is usually posting Instagram stories from a lounge in Turks and Caicos or a stadium in Europe.
Honestly, the relationship between Drake and the Grammys is more toxic than a 3 a.m. text to an ex.
It wasn’t always like this. Back in 2013, when Take Care won Best Rap Album, there was a sense of arrival. But somewhere between the "Hotline Bling" wins (which he famously pointed out isn't even a rap song) and the 2019 "God's Plan" speech where they cut his mic, the bridge didn't just burn—it evaporated.
The 2026 Nominations: A Cold Reality Check
If you looked at the 2026 Grammy nominations list recently, you probably noticed a glaring gap. Kendrick Lamar is sitting pretty at the top with nine nominations for GNX and "Luther."
Drake? He’s got one.
Just one nod for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Somebody Loves Me" with PARTYNEXTDOOR. For a guy who has spent the last decade-plus statistically dominating every metric of human consumption, that’s not just a snub. It’s a statement. The Recording Academy is basically telling him that the era of "showing up just to win" is over.
It’s wild to think about.
We’re talking about a man with 55 career nominations and only five wins. When you compare that to his 41 Billboard Music Awards, you start to see why he’s so jaded. The math just doesn’t math for him.
That Infamous Mic-Cut Moment
You remember 2019. It was the last time he actually showed up to accept an award. He took the stage for Best Rap Song and basically told every aspiring kid watching that the trophy in his hand was meaningless.
"We play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport... You’ve already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you’re a hero in your hometown."
The producers cut to a commercial before he could finish. Talk about awkward. Since then, he’s spent years pulling his music from consideration, only to occasionally submit a project like Her Loss just to see what happens. The result? Usually more "disconnect," as he calls it.
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Why He Calls It an "Opinion-Based Sport"
Drake’s beef isn't just about losing. It’s about the "secret society" vibe of the voting process. He’s been vocal about how the Academy handles Black artists, specifically the tendency to pigeonhole anything by a Black creator into "Rap" or "Urban" categories, even when the song is a pure pop melody.
"Hotline Bling" is the perfect example. He won two Grammys for it in 2017, but he wasn't happy. He told OVO Sound Radio that it felt like he was being alienated. He felt they only put him in the rap category because they couldn't figure out where else to put a "mixed-race kid from Canada."
It’s a valid point.
When you look at the 2026 landscape, the rivalry with Kendrick Lamar has only made the Grammy conversation more lopsided. After the 2025 show, where Kendrick cleaned up with "Not Like Us"—a song literally about Drake—the OVO camp’s disdain for the institution reached an all-time high. Drake’s dad, Dennis Graham, even chimed in, telling reporters he didn't care about the wins and calling the whole thing "bulls***."
The Numbers vs. The Narrative
Let’s get real for a second. Drake is the highest-certified digital singles artist in U.S. history. He’s sold over 170 million units.
The Grammys need Drake more than Drake needs the Grammys. Ratings for award shows have been sliding for years. When the biggest star in the world tells his 140 million Instagram followers that the show "doesn't dictate s*** in our world," it leaves a mark.
But there’s a flip side.
Critics argue that Drake’s "boycott" is a defense mechanism. If you don't play the game, you can't technically lose, right? By distancing himself, he maintains the "too cool for school" persona while Kendrick and others rake in the critical acclaim that he secretly—kinda, maybe—still wants.
Drake’s Grammy Record at a Glance:
- Total Wins: 5
- Total Nominations: 55
- Major Snubs: Scorpion (2019), Certified Lover Boy (pulled from consideration), Honestly, Nevermind (not submitted).
- Current Status: Nominated for one award in 2026.
What This Means for You
If you’re a fan, or just someone following the culture, the "Drake on Grammys" saga is a masterclass in brand protection. He’s teaching us that validation from an institution doesn’t matter if the "streets" (or the Spotify charts) say otherwise.
However, ignoring the industry's highest honors completely can sometimes backfire. It leaves the narrative of "artistic merit" to be written by your rivals. Kendrick is currently winning the "Pulitzer/Grammy" lane of the rap war, while Drake is leaning heavily into the "Global Pop Icon" lane.
Next Steps for the Culture:
Check the 2026 winners list after the ceremony. If Drake wins his lone nomination and still doesn't show up, the message is clear: the divorce is final. If you're an independent artist, take a page out of his 2019 book—focus on building a fanbase that buys tickets in the rain and snow. That's the only metric that doesn't rely on a secret committee. Keep an eye on his Instagram on Grammy night; the real "awards show" will probably be happening in his Stories.