It is weird, right? You have the biggest star in country music—maybe the biggest star in music, period, right now—and he’s just… gone. If you were looking for his name on the ballot for the 2026 Grammy Awards, you won't find it. Not for Album of the Year. Not even for a niche country category. Morgan Wallen has officially pulled himself out of the running, and the industry is buzzing about it.
He didn't just forget to fill out the paperwork. This was a calculated move.
Wallen’s team confirmed back in August 2025 that he would not be submitting his massive, chart-topping album I’m the Problem for any Grammy consideration. This isn't just a minor snub; it’s a full-on "I’m breaking up with you before you can break up with me" situation. When you look at the stats, the decision feels both shocking and completely logical.
The Snub That Started It All
Why is Morgan Wallen boycotting the Grammys after years of trying to play the game? Honestly, it’s probably because the game feels rigged to him. Despite having the best-selling album of the year (multiple times over), Wallen has zero Grammy trophies to his name. Zero.
Think about that. The man has spent over 40 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 throughout his career. Only eight other artists in history have done that, and every single one of them has multiple Grammys. Except Morgan. And the Monkees, apparently.
Last year, his only nominations came from a collaboration with Post Malone on "I Had Some Help." He has never—not once—been nominated for his solo work. Even his 2023 monster, One Thing at a Time, which lived at the top of the charts, didn't get a nod for Best Country Album. It’s hard not to take that personally when you’re selling out stadiums and the Academy is acting like you don’t exist.
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A Pattern of "No Thanks"
Wallen isn't the first person to do this. He’s following a trail blazed by guys like Drake and The Weeknd.
- The Weeknd famously boycotted after After Hours got zero nominations.
- Drake has been vocal about the "disconnect" between impactful music and these little gold statues.
- Zach Bryan also skipped submissions for the 2025 awards because he felt music shouldn't be competitive.
Wallen seems to be leaning into that same energy. He’s basically saying, "If you aren't going to recognize the music the people are actually listening to, why should I give you the satisfaction of rejecting me again?"
Is it a Grudge or Just Business?
There’s always the elephant in the room: 2021. You remember the video. After the racial slur controversy, Wallen was basically erased from the industry for a year. He was banned from the CMAs, the ACMs, and radio.
Some fans think this boycott is a long-delayed "middle finger" to the institutions that turned their backs on him. But it's more complicated than that. He actually went back to the CMAs in 2022 and 2023. He even won Entertainer of the Year in 2024.
The real shift happened recently. Wallen has started skipping all the big shows. He wasn't at the 2024 CMAs to accept his biggest trophy. He skipped the 2025 ACMs to hang out with Tom Brady and toss a football on a golf course. He’s showing the world that he doesn't need the industry's validation to be successful.
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"He don't give a s--t. Since when is Morgan giving a s--t?" — Ernest (Wallen’s close friend and collaborator)
That pretty much sums up the vibe.
The 2026 Boycott: What It Actually Means
When we talk about the 2026 Grammy boycott, it’s a total blackout.
Wallen's team didn't just pull the album. They pulled everything. He won't be considered for Best Country Solo Performance. He won't be in the running for any of the seven songs he co-wrote on the 37-track record.
However, he’s not being a jerk to his friends. He told his collaborators they are free to submit their own work if they want. If Post Malone or Tate McRae (who he did the "What I Want" duet with) want to chase a Grammy, he won't stop them. He just won't be the one putting his name on the form.
Why This Matters for Country Music
This is a huge blow for the Recording Academy. Let’s be real: ratings for awards shows are cratering. They need stars like Wallen to get people to tune in. By bowing out, he’s effectively taking a massive chunk of the audience with him.
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The Grammys have a "credibility problem" in the eyes of many country fans. When Beyoncé won Best Country Album earlier this year, it sparked a massive debate about what the Academy actually values. By opting out, Wallen is signaling that he doesn't care to be part of that conversation anymore. He’d rather be on stage in front of 50,000 screaming fans than sitting in a tuxedo waiting for a room full of voters to decide if his music is "worthy."
What Comes Next for Wallen?
So, where does he go from here? Honestly, probably to the bank.
I’m the Problem is already the best-selling album of 2025. He’s breaking records left and right without a single Grammy on his shelf. His strategy seems to be focusing on the fans and the live experience rather than the industry elites.
If you're a fan, you probably don't care about the boycott. You’re just going to keep streaming the songs and buying the tickets. And that is exactly what Morgan is betting on. He’s proving that in the modern era, the "highest form of recognition" might just be a sold-out stadium, not a trophy.
If you want to stay on top of this story, keep an eye on his tour dates. Wallen usually drops hints about his mindset during his live shows. He recently joked at the Ryman Auditorium that it "takes a lot more than an awards show to get me out to Broadway these days." That tells you everything you need to know about where his head is at.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Don't expect a Grammy performance: Since he didn't submit, he almost certainly won't be performing or attending the February 1, 2026, ceremony.
- Check collaborator submissions: You might still see Wallen's name pop up if Tate McRae or other featured artists submit their duets.
- Follow the charts, not the trophies: If you want to see how Wallen is doing, look at the Billboard 200, where I'm the Problem continues to dominate regardless of award status.
For more updates on the 2026 awards season and how it's shaping up without country's biggest star, you can check the latest industry reports from Billboard or Hits Daily Double.