LOS ANGELES – Rapper Drake has withdrawn his nominations for next year’s Grammy Awards, multiple news outlets are reporting.
>> PHOTOS: Drake through the years
Two sources who spoke on condition on anonymity told The Associated Press that the 35-year-old, who previously won four Grammy Awards, withdrew his two nominations – best rap album for “Certified Lover Boy” and best rap performance for “Way 2 Sexy” featuring Future and Young Thug – from the final 2022 ballot.
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As of early Tuesday, Drake, who has criticized the Grammys in the past, had not commented publicly on the move.
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Drake’s nominations no longer appear on the website for the Jan. 31 award ceremony. The remaining nominees for best rap album include “The Off-Season” by J. Cole; “King’s Disease II” by Nas; “Call Me if You Get Lost” by Tyler, the Creator; and “Donda” by Kanye West, according to the Grammys website. In the best rap performance category, the remaining nominees are “Family Ties” by Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Up” by Cardi B, “My Life” by J. Cole featuring 21 Savage & Morray, and “Thot [Expletive]” by Megan Thee Stallion.
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News of Drake’s withdrawal came the same day the Recording Academy removed Taylor Swift, St. Vincent and Jack Antonoff as songwriters from the nomination for album of the year for Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour.” Swift and Antonoff are still nominated in the category for Swift’s album “Evermore,” Variety reported.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Here are some memorable photos of rapper Drake through the years.
2006: Drake arrives at the 20th annual Soul Train Music Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 4, 2006, in Pasadena, California.
2007: "DeGrassi High" cast members (from left) Cassie Steele, Shane Kippel, Drake and Shenae Grimes pose for a photo backstage during MTV’s Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on October 2, 2007, in New York City.
2009: Rapper Drake poses in the press room during the Grammy Nominations Concert Live! at the Club Nokia on December 2, 2009, in Los Angeles.
2010: Drake accepts the awards for Best Male Hip Hop Artist during the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2010, in Los Angeles.
2011: Singers Drake (left) and Rihanna perform onstage during The 53rd annual Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011, in Los Angeles.
2012: Rapper Drake performs at ESPN the Magazine’s "NEXT" Event on February 3, 2012, in Indianapolis.
2013: Rapper Drake smiles during the 2013 NBA All-Star game at the Toyota Center on February 17, 2013, in Houston.
2014: ESPYs host Drake backstage at the 2014 ESPYS at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014, in Los Angeles.
2015: Recording artists Madonna (left) and Drake kiss onstage during Day 3 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2015, in Indio, California.
2016: Drake presents Rihanna with the the Video Vanguard Award during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016, in New York City.
2017: Drake (left) and Future perform on the Coachella Stage during Day 2 of the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2017, in Indio, California.
2018: Rapper Drake attends Day 8 of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2018, in London.
2019: Drake accepts the Best Rap Song award for "God’s Plan" onstage during the 61st annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles.
2020: Recording artists Rosalia and Drake attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympic collection fashion show at the Shed on February 5, 2020, in New York City.
2021: Drake, winner of the Artist of the Decade Award, poses backstage for the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, broadcast on May 23, 2021, at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.