Drake has decided his three new albums will not appear on the 2027 Grammy ballot, according to a report from Billboard. The trio — Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour — will sit this one out, marking the latest chapter in a long-running feud between the rapper and the award show itself.
The decision follows a pattern that stretches back nearly a decade. Drake has spent years refusing to let his records compete for the industry’s biggest prizes, and now he has added three more to the list.
The Albums That Will Not Be Submitted
The three albums were released together as Drake’s first solo work since the 2024 feud with Kendrick Lamar. They held steady on the charts all summer, with Iceman in particular making headlines.
That album broke Drake’s own record for longest run at the top of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It surpassed the 12-week run of Take Care, which had stood as his previous high mark.
The other two records, Habibti and Maid of Honour, have not been singled out for the same kind of chart milestone. Together the trio represents a substantial portion of Drake’s recent output.
Drake’s Own Words on the Decision
Drake himself addressed the matter directly on Iceman. On the album’s closing track, ‘Make Them Know,’ he raps: “This album, I’m never submittin’ it.”
The line lands as a warning to anyone who might have expected to see the record on the ballot. It also signals a clear stance from the artist.
The 2024 Feud With Kendrick Lamar
The timing of the albums matters. Drake released them in the wake of the 2024 rap feud between him and Kendrick Lamar, a dispute that dominated headlines and reshaped the landscape of hip-hop for months.
The feud was messy, combative, and widely followed. Drake’s decision to release these albums in its aftermath can be read as a statement of independence, a refusal to let the controversy dictate his artistic choices.
Their persistence on the charts speaks to their commercial strength, even without the backing of a major label campaign.
The Litigation Against UMG
Drake’s decision to skip the Grammys also comes amid ongoing litigation with his record label, UMG. The label allegedly promoted the diss track “Not Like Us” despite lyrics that were alleged to be defamatory.
A federal judge dismissed Drake’s lawsuit last year, and Drake’s team filed an appeal. Oral arguments are set to start in December.
The legal fight adds a layer of context to the Grammys decision.
A Long History of Refusal
This is not Drake’s first time skipping the Grammys. He has a track record of ignoring the awards that he once mocked as “the Grammys,” a habit that dates back to 2018.
- More Life was declined for submission in 2018.
- Certified Lover Boy was withdrawn from the 2022 ballot.
- Honestly, Nevermind followed in 2023, with the submission withdrawn.
His joint album with 21 Savage, Her Loss, was indeed submitted for the 2024 ceremonies. It lost Best Rap Album to Killer Mike’s Michael.
The pattern is consistent: Drake submits some albums and declines others, often without explanation. The 2027 batch falls into the decline category.
Drake’s Record With the Awards
Drake’s refusal to submit these albums continues a relationship with the Grammys that has been strained for years. His decision to decline the submissions is a continuation of that history.
The absence of Drake’s name from the 2027 ballot will speak for itself when the nominations are announced.
What This Means for Fans
For fans, the news means the 2027 Grammy ceremony will not feature Drake’s latest work. That is a loss for those who wanted to see his music recognized.
But it is also a signal of sorts. Drake has made his position clear: he does not need the Grammys to validate his work, and he will not bend to their rules.
The albums themselves will continue to exist outside the awards apparatus. They will be judged on their own merits, not on any ballot.
The Verdict on Drake’s Decision
Drake’s decision to skip the 2027 Grammys is a calculated move. It fits a pattern of resistance that stretches back nearly a decade, and it arrives at a moment when his career is at a crossroads.
The albums themselves are strong enough to stand on their own. Iceman broke a record, Habibti and Maid of Honour held their own.
Skipping the Grammys is a bold choice, and it is one that Drake has made repeatedly. Whether it strengthens his position or weakens it is a question only time can answer.
The Grammys will go on without him. Drake will go on without them.
Source material: “Drake Won’t Submit Any of His Three Albums to the 2027 Grammys: Report,” Rolling Stone.
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