Drake has withdrawn his work from consideration in the categories he had been nominated in for te upcoming Grammy Awards set for January 31 next year.

The rapper, who released his Certified Lover Boy album on September 3, 2021, was nominated for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance for his song Way 2 Sexy (featuring Future and Young Thug).

It remains unclear why Drake would have wanted to have himself pulled from consideration, but the request was made by himself and his management team.

The Recording Academy, which presents the Grammys and who honoured the Drake’s request, posted ballots on its website today (December 6), but is expected to updated the site to reflect the changes made as a result of his withdrawl. Both categories will now go forward with just four nominees.

Since the nominations for the 2022 Grammys were announced, several changes have been made. Marilyn Manson, who was accused of sexual abuse, lost his Grammy nod for Best Rap Song, Jail, on Kanye West’s Donda album. Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff and St Vincent were credited as writers on Olivia Rodrigo’s Good 4 U but were removed on Sunday (December 5). They were initially credited because the tune interpolates one of Swift’s songs, Cruel Summer. However, the Recording Academy said it is policy that writers of interpolated tracks are not eligible for awards.