Morgan Wallen is making headlines again — this time not for his record-breaking music, but for what he’s leaving behind. The country superstar has officially decided not to submit his latest album, “I’m the Problem,” or any of its 37 tracks for the 2026 Grammy Awards.

For an artist who just spent 11 non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 with one of the year’s most-streamed records, that’s a bold move.

Why Skip the Grammys?

It’s no secret that Wallen’s relationship with the Recording Academy has been rocky. Despite being one of the biggest names in music, he’s only ever received two Grammy nominations — both for a feature with Post Malone. His solo projects? Snubbed.

So, rather than chase validation, Wallen’s response feels like a quiet protest: a “measured no, thank you” to a system that hasn’t shown him love, no matter how loudly his fans have.

He’s Not Alone

Other artists have walked this road before:

Zach Bryan recently held back The Great American Bar Scene from the 2025 Grammys, saying he wasn’t interested in turning music into a competition. The Weeknd flat-out boycotted after his 2021 shutout, calling the Grammys “corrupt” before making a surprise return in 2025. Frank Ocean refused to submit Blonde in 2016, blasting the outdated Grammy system. Hip-Hop trailblazers like Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Drake, Eminem, and Nicki Minaj have all clashed with the Academy over bias and recognition.

Wallen’s move just adds another big name to a long list of artists questioning the Grammys’ relevance.

What About the Collaborators?

Here’s where it gets tricky: when an artist opts out, what happens to everyone else who worked on the project?

The good news: collaborators can still submit. That means writers, producers, and even featured artists aren’t automatically cut out of Grammy contention.

Take Tate McRae, whose duet with Wallen, “What I Want”, soared to No. 1. She could still choose to submit the track on her own, Grammy boycott or not.

For collaborators, it’s a choice: stand in solidarity with Wallen, or go for the Grammy spotlight. Either way, it keeps the door open.

Big Picture

Wallen’s refusal shines a light on a bigger conversation about who the Grammys serve — and who they don’t. By pulling out, he’s sending a message: awards don’t define success. For collaborators, though, the decision could shape career opportunities, making it one of the most complex boycotts in recent country music history.