Drake News: 'Views' Singer Bashes Grammys For Giving Him Rap Awards For 'Hotline Bling' [VIDEO]
Drake openly criticized the Grammys recently despite winning two this year.
Drake added two Grammys to his collection this year, winning for Best Rap/Sung Performance and Best Rap Song for "Hotline Bling". He did not attend this year's ceremony due to his touring schedule, but from the sound of it, he may not have attended even if he was available.
The Canadian hip-hop artist appeared on the latest episode of Apple Music's OVO Sound, telling DJ Semtex his thoughts on receiving attention from the Grammys in those specific categories.
"I am referred to as a black artist, like last night at [the Grammys], I'm a black artist... I'm apparently a rapper, even though 'Hotline Bling' is not a rap song. The only category 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. I can't figure out why," he stated.
Drake does have a point here, in that he does not rap at any point on "Hotline Bling", a song that shares a lot more in common with today's pop hits than rap. But the 31-year-old expressed that he doesn't get much respect for his contributions to pop music.
"There's pop obligations they have, and I fluked out. I fluked out and got one of the biggest songs of the year that is a pop song and I'm proud of that," Drake explained. "I love the rap world and I love the rap community... I write pop songs for a reason. I want to be like Michael Jackson. I want to be like artists that I looked up to. Those are pop songs, but I never get any credit for that."
Drake doesn't feel that he really deserved to win these rap categories, admitting that his victories don't sit right with him.
"I won two awards last night, but I don't even want them because it just feels weird for some reason. It just doesn't feel right to me," he said. "I feel almost alienated, or [like they're] trying to purposely alienate me by making me win rap awards or pacify me by handing me something and putting me in that category because it's the only place where you can figure out where to put me."
Drake was also also nominated for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album for Views, Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for his feature on Rihanna's "Work", Best R&B Song for his feature on "Come and See Me" by PARTYNEXTDOOR and Best Rap Performance for "Pop Style" featuring The Throne.
