Morgan Wallen’s Popular ‘I’m The Problem’ Album Won’t Be Submitted For Grammys
Country superstar Morgan Wallen is refusing to submit his record-breaking album I’m the Problem for Grammy consideration — a decision that’s turning heads across the music industry.
Despite dominating the Billboard 200 for an 11th non-consecutive week, Wallen opted not to submit any of the 37 tracks on the album, including fan-favorite hits like “Lies, Lies, Lies,” “What I Want” featuring Tate McRae, “Love Somebody,” and the title track “I’m the Problem.” The move comes without explanation from Wallen or his team, though insiders speculate it stems from longstanding frustration with the Recording Academy.
Wallen, who was effectively blacklisted by the industry in 2021 after video footage surfaced of him using a racial slur, was largely frozen out of major awards until recently. He didn’t receive a Grammy nomination until 2025, when his chart-smashing collaboration with Post Malone, “I Had Some Help,” broke through with nods for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
While those nominations marked a shift, Wallen’s relationship with the Grammys remains strained. “I Had Some Help” ultimately lost both categories, with Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus winning Best Duo and Kacey Musgraves taking home Best Country Song.
Wallen’s decision mirrors that of other chart-topping artists like The Weeknd and Drake, who have boycotted the Grammys after what they viewed as repeated snubs. Some music critics have interpreted Wallen’s move as a quiet protest against an institution that continues to favor industry darlings over commercial juggernauts with populist appeal.
Still, Wallen isn’t hurting for accolades. He swept the CMA Awards in 2024, including taking home the coveted Entertainer of the Year, and picked up three wins at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Even as legacy institutions hesitated, Wallen’s fanbase stuck with him — and helped catapult I’m the Problem into the biggest country release of the year.
Known for his rebellious streak, Wallen stirred controversy again earlier this year with a headline-making moment on Saturday Night Live, abruptly leaving the stage before the curtain call. He later posted a photo of himself boarding a private jet with the caption, “Get me to God’s country” — a slogan he soon turned into a successful merch line.
Whether Wallen will eventually mend fences with the Grammy establishment remains to be seen. But for now, he seems content charting his own path — and doing it without their validation.
The 68th Grammy Awards will air February 1, 2026, on CBS. Wallen won’t be in the running, but his absence will surely be noticed.