Drake and J. Cole are reportedly sitting out the 2027 Grammy Awards despite releasing four albums between them during the eligibility period.
Drake did not submit any of his three 2026 albums or their songs for consideration, according to reports citing industry sources.
Meanwhile, J. Cole is also absent from the first-round ballot after reportedly declining to enter his latest album, The Fall-Off, or any of his other eligible music.
However, neither rapper has released a statement explaining the decisions.
Drake leaves three albums out
Drake released Iceman, Habibti and Maid of Honour during the eligibility period, but none of the albums will compete at the 2027 Grammys.
The Canadian rapper appeared to signal his intentions on the Iceman track Make Them Know, declaring: “This album, I’m never submittin’ it.”
He has not publicly explained why he excluded all three projects.
Some fans have connected the decision to Drake’s longstanding criticism of the Recording Academy and Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy success with the Drake diss track Not Like Us. However, that remains speculation.
It is not the first time Drake has withdrawn from the awards process. He previously declined to submit More Life and withheld Certified Lover Boy and Honestly, Nevermind from consideration.
Despite his strained relationship with the ceremony, Drake has won five Grammy Awards.
J. Cole keeps ‘The Fall-Off’ out of race
Reports also indicate that J. Cole did not submit any of his eligible 2026 releases, including his long-awaited album The Fall-Off.
The project arrived in February following years of anticipation and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
It had been expected to become one of the strongest contenders for Best Rap Album. However, a recording cannot receive a nomination if it was never formally entered through the Recording Academy’s submission process.
Cole and his representatives have not confirmed whether the album’s absence was a deliberate boycott or resulted from another decision behind the scenes.
The rapper has previously criticised the Grammys in his lyrics but continued participating in the awards process.
Cole has won two Grammys: Best Rap Song for his contribution to 21 Savage’s A Lot and Best Melodic Rap Performance for All My Life with Lil Durk.
Submissions are not nominations
The list currently circulating online concerns entries submitted for consideration, not official nominations.
First-round voting for the 2027 Grammys began on October 12 after the submission period closed on August 21.
The nominations are scheduled to be announced on November 7, meaning Drake and Cole have not been “snubbed” by voters. Their eligible solo releases were reportedly never entered into the competition.
Their absence leaves the rap categories more open for artists including Don Toliver, Cardi B, A$AP Rocky and Ye, who have reportedly submitted eligible projects.
The 69th Grammy Awards will take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 7, 2027.
The ceremony will air on ABC and stream on Hulu and Disney+.
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