{"id":180142,"date":"2025-08-27T16:22:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T16:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/180142\/"},"modified":"2025-08-27T16:22:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T16:22:11","slug":"at-grammys-artists-can-opt-not-to-enter-how-about-other-award-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/180142\/","title":{"rendered":"At Grammys, Artists Can Opt Not to Enter. How About Other Award Shows?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tThe Recording Academy got some unwelcome news last week when Morgan Wallen<\/a>\u2019s camp confirmed that the country superstar would not submit<\/a> his blockbuster album I\u2019m the Problem for Grammy consideration.<\/p>\n

\n\tFor one of the best-selling artists of the 2020s to opt out of having a chance to win the most prestigious award in music is a bad look for the Grammys. But why, some have asked, does an artist have to submit something to the Grammys to be considered for their awards? If the Grammys are supposed to recognize the year\u2019s best music, then why is it only \u201cthe year\u2019s best music that the artist decides to submit\u201d?<\/p>\n

\n\tWe put that question to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.<\/a>, who said, \u201cWe realize that some artists prefer their art to not be judged in this way and as an artist-first organization, we respect that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThe academy has even rescinded nominations after they were announced, in response to an artist\u2019s request. Four years ago, Drake<\/a> was nominated in two categories \u2013 best rap album (for Certified Lover Boy) and best rap performance (for \u201cWay 2 Sexy,\u201d featuring Future<\/a> & Young Thug<\/a>). When Drake notified the academy that he wasn\u2019t interested in competing, the academy withdrew the nominations<\/a>. (No replacement nominees were named.)<\/p>\n

\n\tIn both cases, the artists were reacting to years of feeling under-recognized at the Grammys. Wallen has received just two career nominations \u2013 both for his megahit collab with Post Malone<\/a>, \u201cI Had Some Help.\u201d At the time Drake declined those two nominations, he had won just four Grammys, all in the rap field. He has since won a fifth Grammy, as a featured artist on Future\u2019s \u201cWait for U\u201d \u2013 also in the rap field. (Artists sometimes chafe at winning only in genre-specific categories and not in the more widely watched, all-genre general categories.)<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe would love it if all artists participated in the Grammy Awards process because it raises awareness and the funds that allow us to serve our community. This includes MusiCares, our advocacy work, The Grammy Museum and much more,\u201d Mason told Billboard in a statement. \u201cHowever, we realize that some artists prefer their art to not be judged in this way and as an artist-first organization, we respect that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThe academy could reach out to a specific artist and urge him or her to submit, but Mason said it doesn\u2019t do that. \u201cFrom an organizational transparency standpoint, we receive around 20,000 entries each year and feel as though there could be potential conflicts if we solicit specific entries,\u201d Mason said in his statement.<\/p>\n

\n\tCouldn\u2019t any Recording Academy member simply enter Wallen into the process? Yes and no.<\/p>\n

\n\tAt the Grammys, any voting or professional member can enter a recording into the process. But the Recording Academy can and does strike entries that are not made by a party of interest. From the 68th Grammy Awards Rules & Guidelines handbook: \u201cAll voting and professional Recording Academy members may make Grammy entries. \u2026 [However,] the Recording Academy reserves the right to remove Grammy entries where the submitter is not an individual who would be entitled to receive a nomination and\/or, in the event of a win, a Grammy Award statuette.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tWe decided to look at other major award shows to see how they operate. Can someone \u201copt out\u201d of the process, as Wallen did at the Grammys this year? We found that at most shows they can opt out \u2014 more precisely, they have to \u201copt in\u201d by entering.<\/p>\n

\n\tBut at the Country Music Association Awards, there is no submission process, so artists can\u2019t opt in or out. Said a spokesperson: \u201cIf an individual or a piece of work meets their category criteria, it is eligible for nomination. It\u2019s ultimately up to the discretion of the CMA members, who represent the country music industry, to determine the nominees and winners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSee how the major awards shows operate below:<\/p>\n