Playboi Carti may have topped the charts this year, but the Grammys left him feeling shut out. According to DJ Akademiks, the rapper was deeply disappointed that his album Music earned zero nominations despite what he believed was a strategic effort to appeal to the Recording Academy.
Akademiks shared that Carti made creative choices with awards in mind. “Carti felt he played the game,” he said.
“He said to me directly, ‘Ak, I could’ve made an album just for my fans, but they told me, you need to make songs that are global, you need to do this, you need to have collabs. I went for the guys who get nominated, I brought them in.’”
Playboi Carti made ‘MUSIC’ specifically with industry acclaim in mind, according to Akademiks:
“I could’ve made an album just for my fans, but they told me, you need to make songs that are global, you need to do this, you need to have collabs…” pic.twitter.com/dBKvNUss4e
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) February 2, 2026
Music debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in March, pulling in nearly 300,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. The project included major features from Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Future and Lil Uzi Vert, making the snub even more surprising to some fans.
Akademiks speculated that Carti’s unconventional style or reserved personality may have played a role, adding, “Who cares? No nominations?”
Carti was not alone in his frustration. Lil Wayne also reacted online, writing, “Congrats to the nominees and winners. Wasnt included. As usual. I gotta work harder. As usual.”
Congrats to the nominees and winners. Wasnt included. As usual. I gotta work harder. As usual.
One time for my slime Bill Beli— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) February 2, 2026