Drake has known both success and more than his share of disappointment at the Grammys over the years.
The Canadian-born superstar, one of the most commercially successful recording artists of all time, could be headed for Grammy success this year. Her Loss, his Billboard 200-topping collaborative project with 21 Savage, is entered for both album of the year and best rap album, and has a good chance of being nominated in both categories. Her Loss won album of the year at the recent BET Hip Hop Awards.
Drake has received 51 career Grammy nominations. Only two rappers have received more – Jay-Z with 88 and Kanye West (who now goes by Ye) with 75. But Drake has had a hard time translating those nominations in to wins. He has won just five Grammys, far fewer than Jay and Ye, who have won 24 each.
Another issue: All five of Drake’s wins have come in rap categories – best rap album (Take Care, 2012), best rap/sung performance and best rap song (“Hotline Bling,” 2016), best rap song (“God’s Plan,” 2018) and best melodic rap performance (as a featured artist, along with Tems, on Future’s “Wait For U,” 2023).
There’s nothing wrong with winning a rap Grammy, but artists crave recognition in the all-genre “Big Four” categories – album, record and song of the year plus best new artist. In those categories, Drake has gone 0-10. And four of his six album of the year nominations have been as a featured artist on other artists’ albums. Again, nothing wrong with that, but most artists would rather be honored for their own projects.
Drake has voiced his displeasure in no uncertain terms, as you’ll see as we review his Grammy highs and lows. The years shown are the years of the ceremony.
Additional reporting by Gil Kaufman
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