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Drake’s New Album: A Potential Grammy Challenge Against Kendrick Lamar
Drake’s journey through the music industry has been marked by unprecedented highs and intense rivalries, particularly with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. This year has not been kind to Drake, especially following a tumultuous fallout from their ongoing feud. Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” not only earned him five Grammy awards but also featured a controversial performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, where the lyrics suggested serious allegations against Drake. This moment drew significant attention, as it was broadcast to over 120 million viewers. In response to the impact this had on his reputation, Drake has even taken legal action.
Amid this backdrop, Drake has released a collaborative new album with PartyNextDoor titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. The crucial question arises: Does this album have any chance at the Grammys against Lamar’s GNX, which was unveiled last fall? Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether Drake will even consider submitting this new work for Grammy approval.
The Weeknd, another prominent figure in the music world, once boycotted the Grammys after feeling snubbed in 2021, but has since reconciled with the academy, even surprising audiences with a performance at the 2025 ceremony. Drake’s own relationship with the Grammys has been fraught with complexity. In a 2024 Instagram post, he stated, “All you incredible artists remember this show isn’t the facts — it’s just the opinion of a group of people whose names are kept a secret.” This sentiment reflects his skepticism regarding the significance of the awards in the broader music landscape.
In 2021, Drake withdrew his album Certified Lover Boy from Grammy contention despite receiving nominations for both Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance. His subsequent release, Honestly, Nevermind, was also not submitted for consideration. However, he did put forward his joint project with 21 Savage, Her Loss, which garnered several nominations in 2024, yet he did not win in any category.
Drake has expressed concerns about how the industry categorizes his music. During an interview in 2017 following his Grammy wins for “Hotline Bling,” he commented on the challenges of being labeled as a rapper: “The only category that they can manage to fit me in is in a rap category, maybe because I’ve rapped in the past or because I’m Black.” Over his career, Drake has taken home five Grammy awards, including Best Rap Album for Take Care and various other honors for standout tracks.
On the other hand, Kendrick Lamar has enjoyed considerable success at the Grammys, with 22 total wins, making him the third most awarded rapper in Grammy history, just behind Jay-Z and Kanye West. Lamar’s recent victory includes a historic achievement for his song “Not Like Us,” which won both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, marking only the second time a rap song has captured these top honors.
As Lamar eyes the Album of the Year award for GNX, he has been nominated six times previously in this category without any wins. In early predictions, he appears to be the frontrunner, based on his consistent track record and Gold Derby odds data. Conversely, Drake has faced an uphill battle in the Album of the Year category, also boasting six nominations but often falling short.
With the clear preference among voters leaning toward Lamar, it casts a shadow on whether Drake’s latest offering will have any significant impact at the upcoming Grammy Awards. Should he decide to withdraw yet again, it may not only reflect his ongoing disillusionment with the Grammys but also his strategic approach to his career amidst fierce competition.
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www.goldderby.com