Kanye West’s recent online activity has now cost him a performance slot at the 2022 Grammys. Today, Variety confirmed a Friday report from The Blast as true: West was informed on March 18 that his “concerning online behavior” had become such an issue that he would no longer be allowed to play, as had been previously announced.
The “online behavior” being referenced likely has something to do with West’s repeated posts about Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson. The video for his Donda 2 track “Eazy” depicted a claymation version of himself capturing and burying a Davidson-looking character alive. West also shared private texts from Kardashian, warning that his rhetoric could lead someone to do something dangerous to Davidson. In mid-February, Kanye seemed to issue an apology for his posts, saying he would “take accountability” and acknowledging that some of what he had done “came off as harassing Kim,” but later continued the same pattern of behavior.
The Grammy decision is also likely swayed by the return of Trevor Noah as host this year. Noah, who has publicly defended Kardashian from West’s verbal abuse, drew the musician’s ire as well. In a Daily Show segment, Noah said that the issue between the three celebrities has transcended the tabloid world into something regular people should be aware of, and called West’s behavior “belligerent.” (Noah was also critical of text messages Davidson allegedly sent Kanye taunting him about Kardashian.)
On March 16, West targeted Noah with another since-deleted post, calling him a racial slur. Instagram then suspended Kanye for 24 hours due to his posts violating the company’s rules against harassment. Once the news of West being pulled from the Grammys stage became public, Noah wrote on Twitter, “I said counsel Kanye not cancel Kanye.”
Kanye has a long history of performing at the Grammys, from his 2006 “Gold Digger” rendition to a poignant medley of “Stronger” and “Hey Mama” in 2008. His last performance at the awards show came in 2015, when he did “FourFiveSeconds” with Rihanna and Paul McCartney. Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, BTS, and Billie Eilish (another recent target of West’s) are all slated to perform at this year’s show, which takes place on April 3.
West received nominations for Album of the Year, Best Rap Album, and three other awards at the 64th Grammys. Additional nods for West and long-time nemesis Taylor Swift were the results of a last-minute meeting by the award show’s organizing body. It is unclear if he will still attend.