Country singer Morgan Wallen won’t submit his latest album, “I’m the Problem,” for Grammy consideration.
The album, which was released in May and features duets with Tate McRae, Eric Church and Post Malone, was a commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. But the critical reception was mixed, with Rolling Stone giving the album three out of five stars.
Wallen, who released his debut album in 2018, has only been recognized by the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammy Awards, twice — neither time for his own songs. He received nominations for Best Country Song and Country Duo/Group Performance, both for his features on Post Malone songs.
It’s unclear why Wallen isn’t submitting his work to the Grammys and his reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but other artists have boycotted the Grammys in the past, including Drake and The Weeknd, who have both been critical of the voting process. The Weeknd broke his boycott in February, when he performed at the Grammys. Before his performance, Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a speech that he listened to The Weeknd’s criticism and redid the Grammys voting body, making it more diverse.
Wallen hasn’t been one to play by the rules. While appearing as the musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” in March, Wallen walked off the show’s stage while host Mikey Madison and the cast members were still saying their goodbyes. Immediately afterward, he posted a photo of his plane with the caption, “Get me to God’s country.” He later said it wasn’t anything personal and that he was just ready to get home.
In 2021, Wallen was “indefinitely” suspended by his record label after he was caught on video saying a racial slur. The Academy of Country Music announced his “Dangerous: The Double Album” wouldn’t be eligible for its awards that year.
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Wallen made news again in 2024 when he threw a chair off the roof of a bar in Nashville. He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment.
The Grammys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.