Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Childish Gambino all turned down performance slots at this year’s Grammy Awards, show producer Ken Ehrlich told The New York Times. The artists’ respective representatives also “declined to comment on whether they would attend the show.” Pitchfork has reached out to reps for Kendrick, Drake, Childish Gambino, and the Grammys for more information.
It was reported this week that Ariana Grande turned down a performance because she was “insulted” after producers did not want her to perform her new single “7 rings.” In an interview published today, Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich said Ariana “felt it was too late for her to pull something together” for the show. Ariana then blasted Ehrlich on social media: “I’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me.”
Kendrick is up for eight Grammys in total this year, including Record of the Year (“All the Stars” with SZA), Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. Gambino is up for five awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year (“This Is America”. Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino both performed at last year’s Grammys.
Drake has seven nominations this year. He did not submit his playlist More Life for Grammy consideration last year. Previously, at the 2017 Grammys, Drake won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Hotline Bling.” He did not attend the ceremony that year, and, in an interview following his victories, criticized the Grammys: “Even though ‘Hotline Bling’ is not a rap song... the only category they can manage to fit me in is a rap category,” he said.
Read “The Best and Worst Songs Nominated for a Grammy This Year” over on the Pitch.
Follow all of Pitchfork’s coverage of this year’s Grammy Awards.
