Drake, Kendrick Lamar & Childish Gambino All Turned Down The Grammy’s

Drake, Kendrick Lamar And Childish Gambino All Turned Down Grammy Performance

The 61^st annual Grammy Awards, music’s highest honor, are set to air on February 10, but there is more controversy and disdain for the award show than excitement. It’s no secret that throughout the last few years, the Grammys have lost some of its prestige and meaning due to the constant criticism the show receives for not awarding the proper talent and being out of touch. Now, it’s been revealed that three of the top acts in music, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino, all turned down a chance to take the stage.

In an story from The New York Times, which discusses the problems that the Grammys have continued to face in recent years, it explains why many musical acts feel jaded toward the show and specifically exposes the huge problem it has with the hip-hop community. Superstars such as Kanye West, Jay Z, Beyoncé, Frank Ocean and Drake have all voiced their opinions about the Grammys failing to award Album of the Year, the show’s top prize, to more hip-hop artists—and thus have chosen to not perform or even attend the show.

Ken Ehrlich, the producer of the Grammys, acknowledges the problem that the award show has with the hip-hop world, saying:

“The fact of the matter is, we continue to have a problem in the hip-hop world. When they don’t take home the big prize, the regard of the academy, and what the Grammys represent, continues to be less meaningful to the hip-hop community, which is sad.”

Ehrlich also revealed that he offered performance slots on this year’s show to Drake, Lamar and Gambino, but they all declined. The Grammys continue to struggle to maintain relevance not only among artists, but with viewers as well.

Alicia Keys is set to host this year’s show, which also includes tributes to iconic label Motown and legend Diana Ross.

Are you planning to watch the Grammys? Do you think they overlook hip-hop artists? Let us know in the comments.