Shameful treatment: Drake, 32, was announced as the winner for Best Rap Song and launched into his acceptance speech, but he was cut off before finishing

The singer had clearly been primed to appear for his award, walking out from under the stage the moment his name was announced.

‘We play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport,’ Drake said while accepting the award.

‘The point is, you’ve already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you’re a hero in your hometown,’ he continued.

Ready and willing: The singer and rapper was primed to appear for his award because he ran out from under the stage to collect the trophy

Objective truth: ‘We play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport,’ Drake said while accepting the award

The Hotline Bling artist seemed to be lightly shading the Grammys by implying that he didn’t need their validation.

‘Look, if there’s people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain and snow, spending money to buy tickets to your shows, you don’t need this right here. You already won,’ he added.

There was more, but Drake’s microphone was cut off at that point, both within the Staples Center and on the broadcast. It cut to commercial shortly afterward.

After the show, a representative for the Grammys explained the reason for the cutoff in a statement to Variety, ‘During Drake’s speech, there was a natural pause and at that moment the producers did assume that he was done and then cut to commercial.’

‘However the producers did speak with Drake following his speech and did offer him to come back on stage to finish whatever his thoughts were. But Drake said he was happy with what he said and didn’t have anything to add.’

Already a winner: ‘The point is, you’ve already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you’re a hero in your hometown,’ Drake said

Doesn’t need them: Drake seemed to be lightly shading the Grammys by implying that he didn’t need their validation

Drake’s presence at the awards was seen as a major coup for the Grammys, although he did not perform.

Other notable figures, including Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande and Childish Gambino’s Donald Glover, all decided to sit out the ceremony.

Drake is nominated for Album of the Year and Record of the Year, two the major categories.

Earlier in the evening he lost out to Childish Gambino’s This Is America for Song of the Year. He also lost Best Rap Performance to a tie between Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock and Future for King’s Dead and James Blake/Anderson .Paak for Bubblin’.