Since its inception, hip-hop’s relationship with the Grammy Awards has been marked by tension and controversy. From early dismissals of the genre to ongoing disputes over recognition, many rap artists have voiced their frustrations with the ceremony. Over the years, several high-profile rappers have taken a stand by boycotting the awards. Here are a few noteworthy years when rappers chose to boycott the Grammys and why.
1989: The First Grammy for Rap and the Boycott That Followed
The Grammy Awards introduced the first-ever Grammy for Rap, awarding it in the category of Best Rap Performance to D.J. Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.[1] However, unlike the more widely broadcasted genres like Rock, R&B, Pop, and Country, the award for Rap was not televised due to being deemed less mainstream. In protest, nominees D.J. Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince, Salt-N-Pepa, and L.L. Cool J boycotted the event on the advice of Def Jam Records co-founder Russell Simmons.[2]
Reflecting on the snub, D.J. Jazzy Jeff stated, “They televised 16 categories, and from record sales, from the Billboard charts, from the overall public’s view, there’s no way that out of 16 categories, Rap isn’t in the top 16.” The Fresh Prince, aka Will Smith, added, “It was a slap in the face, so we chose to boycott. It’s like going to school for 12 years and being denied the chance to walk at graduation.” The Grammy organizers responded, “When you have 76 Grammy categories and only time to put 12 on the air, you’ve got 64 unhappy groups of people.”[3]
The Rap Grammy was televised for the first time in 1990, and since then, much has changed.[4] Several hip-hop artists have not only won Grammys but have also gone on to host the ceremony, be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards.[5] The Dr. Dre Global Impact Award was also first awarded at the 2023 GRAMMYs to its namesake, Dr. Dre followed by Jay-Z in 2024.[6]
1999: JAY-Z’s Boycott for DMX’s Overlooked Success
In 2021, JAY-Z revealed that he boycotted the 1999 Grammy Awards, despite winning Best Rap Album for Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life, because of the Academy’s decision not to nominate DMX.[7] In 1998, DMX had released two chart-topping albums—It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood—both of which captivated fans and showcased his raw talent.[8]
“By the way, the first time I boycotted the Grammys was for [DMX]. We both came out that year, he didn’t get nominated,” Hov shared.[9] “He dropped two albums—had two No. 1 albums in the same year—they didn’t even nominate him. I won that year for Rap Album, so my first Grammy win I wasn’t there. I wasn’t even in the building, because I boycotted it for him. There was a competitive thing, but it was big love.”
2022: J. Prince’s Proposal and a Call for Unity
Following The Weeknd’s call to boycott the show in 2021, Kanye West’s recent ban from performing due to “concerning online behavior,” veteran music executive J. Prince proposed an alternative.[10]
On March 22, the Rap-A-Lot Records founder shared his frustrations with the Recording Academy in an Instagram post, comparing the Grammy’s treatment of artists to how the U.S. prison system treats prisoners.[11] At the end of his message, Prince suggested a bold move: that artists who’ve felt slighted by the Grammys—like Kanye West, Drake, The Weeknd, and Nicki Minaj—come together for a simultaneous performance in Las Vegas, offering fans an alternative to the Grammy broadcast.[12]
“[The Grammys] canceled Kanye and have discriminated against Drake, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, and many others over the years,” Prince shared.[13] “This cycle will only break if we unite to bring change. I propose that these artists, and more, perform together on a major network or streaming platform at the same time as the Grammys. Let’s show that when hip-hop, the No. 1 selling genre, stands united, it changes the game because there’s power in numbers.”
Prince’s challenge came shortly after Kanye West, also known as Ye, was banned from the awards show due to following controversial remarks toward the show’s host, Trevor Noah, comedian D.L. Hughley, and actor Pete Davidson.[14] Previously, The Weeknd, Drake, and Nicki Minaj all previously expressed their dissatisfaction with the Grammys.[15]
2024: Drake’s Rocky Relationship with the Grammys Continues
Drake has been vocal in his criticism of the Grammy Awards over the years. [16]
Though he won the Best Rap Song award for “God’s Plan” in 2019, he boldly downplayed the Recording Academy’s significance while accepting his trophy.[17]
“This is a business where sometimes it’s up to a bunch of people who might not understand what a mixed-race kid from Canada has to say or a fly Spanish girl from New York or anybody else, or a brother from Houston right there, my brother Travis [Scott],” he said.[18]
“But my point is you’ve already won if you have people singing your songs word for word, if you’re a hero in your hometown.”
Additionally, he expressed frustration with the Grammys in 2020 following the snubbing of The Weeknd’s chart-topping, multi-platinum After Hours album.[19]
“I think we should stop allowing ourselves to be shocked every year by the disconnect between impactful music and these awards and just accept that what once was the highest form of recognition may no longer matter to the artists that exist now and the ones that come after,” he wrote on social media.
In 2021, after receiving two rap nominations for Certified Lover Boy, Drake withdrew the album from Grammy consideration.[20] The following year, he opted not to submit his album Honestly, Nevermind or any of its singles for Grammy consideration.[21]
In 2023, it appeared Drake’s long-running feud with The Grammys was over.[22] The Hollywood Reporter stated that Drake and 21 Savage’s joint album Her Loss was submitted for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album at the 2024 Grammys.[23]
However, It’s unclear whether Drake personally submitted the entries. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Academy members, including songwriters, producers, and engineers, also have the authority to submit work they contributed to for consideration.[24]
Despite such a rocky relationship with the Grammys, Drake has won five Grammy Awards over the course of his time-honored career. [25]
[1] https://andscape.com/features/dj-jazzy-jeff-the-fresh-prince-and-a-grammy-boycott-that-set-the-tone-for-three-more-decades-of-rap-and-culture/
[2] Ibid.
[3]https://rockthebells.com/articles/hip-hop-and-the-grammys-history/
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] https://www.grammy.com/news/jay-z-2024-grammys-speech-dr-dre-global-impact-award
[7]https://hypebeast.com/2021/5/jay-z-on-boycotting-grammys-for-dmx
[8] https://www.thedailybeast.com/jay-z-reveals-he-boycotted-the-grammys-because-they-disrespected-dmx/
[9] https://hypebeast.com/2021/5/jay-z-on-boycotting-grammys-for-dmx
[10] https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-03-23-j-prince-encourages-kanye-west-drake-more-to-boycott-the-grammys/
[11] https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-03-23-j-prince-encourages-kanye-west-drake-more-to-boycott-the-grammys/
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-ends-grammys-boycott-her-loss-submission
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ibid.
[20] https://variety.com/2021/music/news/drake-withdraws-2021-grammy-nominations-1235127358/
[21] https://pitchfork.com/news/drake-ends-grammys-snub-submits-her-loss-for-consideration/
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
[24] https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-ends-grammys-boycott-her-loss-submission
[25] https://pitchfork.com/news/71247-kanye-drake-bieber-skipping-grammys-report/
