Drake accuses Grammys of nominating him as a rap artist 'because he's black'

Drake has hit out at the Grammy Awards for feeling 'purposely alientated' Credit: PA

Canadian singer Drake has criticised the Grammy Awards for only nominating him in categories for rap artists.

His single "Hotline Bling" received two gongs at this year’s ceremony in the categories of Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.

But the 30-year-old, who chose to miss this year’s ceremony, has accused organisers of labelling the song as rap just because "he's black."

The singer performing in London earlier this month on his Boy Meets World tour Credit: PA

He told OVO radio show Beats 1: "I won two awards but I don't even want them cos it feels weird for some reason. It doesn't feel right to me.

"I feel almost like alienated or you're trying to purposely alienate me by making me win rap awards, or either just pacify me by handing me something, putting me in that category, cos it's the only place you can figure out where to put me.

"Maybe because I've rapped in the past or because I'm black, I can't figure out why."

Drake was the world's most streamed artist of 2016 Credit: PA

Drake is currently touring in the UK on his "Boy Meets World" tour.

He said the Grammys tried to convince him to cancel two shows in Manchester to attend the ceremony.