Drake, Kendrick Lamar, & Childish Gambino Decline to Perform at Grammys

Not everyone wants to be part of Music’s Biggest Night.

Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Childish Gambino will not take the stage at Sunday’s Grammys, according to The New York Times. Despite being nominated for multiple awards, all three acts declined the opportunity to perform. It’s unclear if they will attend the show.

Lamar leads with eight nominations this year, followed by Drake with seven. Gambino has five nominations, including Record and Song of the Year for “This Is America.”

The Grammys and hip-hop continue to have a strained relationship. “The fact of the matter is, we continue to have a problem in the hip-hop world,” said Ken Ehrlich, the show’s longtime producer. “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.”

Ariana Grande also pulled out after clashing with producers over which song to perform. “I’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me,” Grande tweeted following an Associated Press interview where Erhlich said that she “felt it was too late for her to pull something together.”

“I can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken,” she added. “It was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more.”

i’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me. i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more. 🖤

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 7, 2019

Hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61st annual Grammy Awards are set to feature performances from Cardi B, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Janelle Monáe, H.E.R., and Camila Cabello, as well as a Motown tribute with Jennifer Lopez.

The show will air live from L.A.’s Staples Center on Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBS.