Morgan Wallen's Grammy Snub: It's Not His 37 Chart Topping Songs...

Morgan Wallen Grammy Snub: Not His 37 Songs, But a Stand Against His Behavior 

Despite making history by having 36 of the 37 tracks from his album I’m the Problem chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and six of them breaking into the top ten, a first for any country artist, Morgan Wallen remains largely excluded from Grammy recognition. 

Chart Record, But No Grammy Esteem

Wallen’s album has been a commercial juggernaut. I’m the Problem, released in May 2025, held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for six straight weeks and spawned hits like “What I Want” (featuring Tate McRae) that also topped the Hot 100.

Yet, when it came time for Grammy submissions, the album was conspicuously absent. Wallen’s team confirmed he declined to submit the album or any of its tracks for the 2026 Grammy Awards. 

Why the Snub?

Industry insiders suggest the Grammys have distanced themselves from Wallen due to a series of serious controversies. 

In 2020, Wallen was taken into custody and charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct after leaving singer Kid Rock’s bar in Nashville, where he was accused of kicking over drinking glasses when asked to leave. 

In 2021, Wallen was caught on video using a racial slur, a transgression that prompted his indefinite suspension by Big Loud Records and resulted in music being removed from radio and streaming playlists.

Additionally, Wallen’s personal behavior has drawn legal consequences. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment after throwing a chair off the rooftop of  singer Eric Church's Nashville bar in April 2024, an incident linked to his earlier arrest and resulting in two years of probation and mandatory DUI education.

Spokespeople close to the Grammys reportedly emphasize that honoring his work could be misinterpreted as endorsing or accepting his behavior, something the Academy does not want to do.

Wallen Responds: Boycott by Withholding

In response to this unspoken ban, Wallen has made his own statement. He will not submit I’m the Problem or any songs from it for Grammy consideration, and he does not plan to watch the ceremony.

Final Thoughts

This scenario illustrates the stark contrast between Wallen’s soaring popularity among fans and his fraught relationship with industry institutions. While his album dominates the charts, the Grammys' distancing and his choice to opt out entirely, highlight the tension between artistic achievement and accountability for personal conduct.