The Weeknd announced on Thursday that he is boycotting the Grammy Awards moving forward. The Canadian singer made this decision after his acclaimed album After Hours didn’t receive a single Grammy nomination in 2021.
The Weeknd detailed his decision in a statement issued to the New York Times, saying that he will no longer attend the Grammys or allow his works to be in consideration for the prestigious award.
“Because of the secret committees, I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys,” said The Weeknd.
The Weeknd expressed his displeasure with the nomination process shortly after the nominations were revealed in November. At the time, he called for “transparency” in the process and added that he planned his performance at the Grammys for “four weeks” but the snub made him feel like he is “not invited” to the ceremony.
The Weeknd released After Hours in March to positive reviews and critical success. It broke several records while reaching no. 1 on the charts in more than 20 countries including the United States, the UK, and Canada. The album already won an American Music Award in Favorite Album – Soul/R&B category.
The single “Blinding Lights” was a particular success, topping the charts in 34 countries and spending a record 52 weeks in the top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 charts.
The Weeknd isn’t the only one calling out the Grammys lately. Former One Direction member Zayn Malik was also unhappy because his third studio album Nobody Is Listening wasn’t nominated. He said on Twitter that the Grammy Awards suffer from a “lack of transparency of the nomination process.”
