5 Shocking Reasons Why Drake Skipped The 2024 Grammys (And What He Said Instead)

The question of "Was Drake at the Grammys?" has become an annual tradition, and for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held in February 2024, the answer was a definitive no. The superstar rapper, Aubrey Graham, chose not to attend the biggest night in music, a decision that was less of a surprise and more of a continuation of his long-standing, tumultuous relationship with the Recording Academy. His absence, however, was immediately followed by a highly publicized social media post that reignited his fiery criticism of the awards show, making more headlines than if he had actually walked the red carpet.

As of the current date, December 10, 2025, the narrative surrounding Drake’s participation in major industry events remains complex and defiant. Despite being one of the most commercially successful and influential artists of his generation, the Canadian rapper has consistently downplayed the significance of the coveted golden gramophone. His decision to skip the 2024 event, where he was nominated for four awards alongside collaborator 21 Savage, solidified his stance that commercial success and fan reception far outweigh the validation of an industry panel.

Drake's 2024 Grammy Awards Profile and Controversial History

Drake’s career is defined by record-breaking streams, chart domination, and an almost constant presence in the music zeitgeist. Yet, his Grammy history is marked by a deep sense of disillusionment and public protest. The 2024 ceremony was just the latest chapter in this ongoing saga.

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• Full Name: Aubrey Drake Graham
• Born: October 24, 1986 (Age 39 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Record Label: OVO Sound, Republic Records
• Total Grammy Nominations (Career): Over 55
• Total Grammy Wins (Career): 5 (as of 2024)
• 2024 Nominations (for Her Loss with 21 Savage): 4 (All losses)
• Notable Grammy Incident: Rejected his 2017 nominations for Views; withdrew his 2022 nominations for Certified Lover Boy.

The Four Nominations Drake Snubbed at the 66th Grammys

The 2024 Grammy Awards, officially the 66th ceremony, saw Drake and his frequent collaborator 21 Savage receive four significant nominations for their joint album, Her Loss. The nominations spanned major categories, proving that despite his criticism, the Recording Academy still recognizes his commercial and critical impact. However, the duo ultimately lost in every category, a fact that only fueled Drake's post-show commentary. His absence meant that even if he had won, there would have been no acceptance speech, continuing his trend of distancing himself from the show's fanfare.

The four nominations for the album Her Loss were:

1. Best Rap Album: Lost to Killer Mike's Michael.
2. Best Rap Performance (for "Rich Flex"): Lost to Killer Mike's "Scientists & Engineers."
3. Best Melodic Rap Performance (for "Spin Bout U"): Lost to Lil Durk ft. J. Cole's "All My Life."
4. Album of the Year (as a featured artist on Her Loss and Travis Scott's Utopia): Lost to Taylor Swift's Midnights (for Utopia).

The clean sweep of losses for Her Loss, an album that debuted at number one and was a massive commercial success, was seen by many fans as further evidence of the Grammy's disconnect from the popular Hip-Hop and Rap landscape. This outcome perfectly set the stage for Drake’s subsequent, highly critical remarks.

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The Real Reason Drake Was Not in Los Angeles

While his philosophical disdain for the awards show is the overarching reason for his absence, the practical reason for Drake missing the 2024 Grammys was a prior professional commitment. Instead of attending the ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the artist was busy performing for his fans.

He Was Performing a Concert in Florida

On the night of the 66th Grammy Awards, Drake was on stage in Tampa, Florida, as part of his extensive concert schedule. This scheduling conflict was a deliberate choice, signaling that his priority was his direct connection with his audience rather than seeking validation from the Recording Academy. The decision to prioritize a tour date over the biggest night in the music industry speaks volumes about his current perspective on the prestige of the Grammys.

The Long-Standing Grammy Boycott

Drake's non-attendance is part of a pattern that has been described by many in the music industry as an unofficial "Grammy Boycott." His history includes:

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• 2017: He chose not to attend despite receiving eight nominations for his album Views.
• 2019: During an acceptance speech for Best Rap Song ("God's Plan"), he famously stated, "We play an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport," implying the awards are subjective and meaningless.
• 2022: He voluntarily withdrew his two nominations for his album Certified Lover Boy and the single "Way 2 Sexy."

This consistent behavior has established Drake as one of the most high-profile critics of the institution, often challenging its relevance, especially concerning the Hip-Hop and Rap categories, which he and other artists feel are frequently overlooked or misunderstood by the voting body.

Drake's Scathing Social Media Post After the 2024 Losses

The most newsworthy event related to Drake and the 2024 Grammys didn't happen on the red carpet, but on his Instagram story. Immediately following the show, and after losing all four nominations, Drake took to social media to congratulate the winners while simultaneously delivering a scathing critique of the Recording Academy. This bold statement was a clear message to the music world and cemented his position as an outsider.

His message, which quickly went viral, contained several key points:

• "This show isn't the facts; it's just the opinion of a group of people whose names are kept a secret." This line directly attacks the transparency and objective legitimacy of the voting process. He implies that the awards are a subjective, secretive process rather than a true measure of artistic merit or commercial success.
• "All you incredible artists remember this show doesn't dictate sh*t." This was a direct piece of advice to his peers and the younger generation of artists, urging them not to let Grammy wins or losses define their careers or self-worth. It was a powerful statement of defiance against the entire awards structure.
• Focus on the Fans: By performing a concert instead of attending, and then posting his message, Drake reinforced the idea that the only validation that truly matters is the connection with his fanbase, the OVO community, and the global commercial success of his music.

In essence, Drake used his absence and his platform to minimize the importance of the Grammy Awards. His actions suggest a belief that the institution is outdated and fails to accurately reflect the current pulse of the music industry, particularly in genres like Hip-Hop and Rap, where he is a dominant force.

The Future of Drake and the Recording Academy

Given his history, it is highly unlikely that Drake will attend any future Grammy Awards ceremony unless there is a fundamental shift in his perspective or the Recording Academy’s structure. His consistent criticism, which has been echoed by other major artists, continues to put pressure on the institution to adapt and become more transparent.

For fans and industry observers, the question "Was Drake at the Grammys?" is no longer about attendance; it’s about his ongoing, high-stakes philosophical debate with the music establishment. His choice to prioritize his Tampa concert over the Los Angeles event in 2024 made it clear: for Drake, the Grammys are an optional formality, not a necessary validation. His focus remains on global tours, breaking streaming records, and maintaining his status as a cultural titan, completely independent of any industry award.