Kanye West asked not to perform at the Grammys due to 'concerning online behavior'

Iconic rapper Kanye West has been barred from performing at the Grammy Awards.

The Recording Academy and CBS, the groups who present the Grammys, contacted Kanye's team and informed them that the rapped had been "unfortunately" removed from the lineup of performers for the 2022 Grammys due to his "concerning online behavior," Variety reported.

A report from The Blast, a celebrity gossip blog created by one of the co-founders of TMZ, claimed that the "Donda" rapper's team received a phone call informing them that Kanye had been axed from the show. And, Variety suggests, there may be good reason for booting Kanye's live performance.

In recent weeks, Kanye has been very publicly feuding with his ex-wife's, Kim Kardashian, new boyfriend, "Saturday Night Live" comedian Pete Davidson.

West, who mockingly refers to Davidson as "Skete," launched an intense intimidation campaign against the comedian in a series of now-deleted Instagram posts.

"Ran Skete off the gram," West boasted in late February, "Tell your mother I change your name for life."

In a recently released music video for the song "Eazy," in which Kanye collaborates with fellow rapper The Game, a claymation Kanye kidnaps, tortures, and murders a similarly animated avatar of Davidson.

The song also features the lyrics: "God saved me from that crash / Just so I can beat Pete Davidson's ass."

(Warning: video contains explicit language and graphic images)

The Game, Kanye West - Eazy (Official Music Video)www.youtube.com

Reportedly, it is a concern that Kanye might ruffle the feathers of the cultural elite in a live performance at the Grammys. The show's hosts are worried he might renew his anti-Davidson crusade, make a statement of support for his friends who have fallen out of public favor like controversial artist Marilyn Manson or fellow rapper DaBaby, or perhaps even make potentially right-wing political statements.

There is also concern stemming from past disagreements Kanye had with the host of this year's awards, "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah.

The Game, Kanye's collaborator on "Eazy," said that the removal of Kanye from the live show proves that the institution is biased against "the culture."

He said, "Time [and] time again they show us that they only want to STEAL the culture, not allow you to ever be their equals. In a more than obvious move for reasons of miniscule actions … The Grammys have at the last minute decided to pull [Kanye West] from performing on the show as if we dind't know it was coming. [It] could be because [Trevor Noah] is hosting and there was a conversation held amongst his team [and] the academy that led to the decision."

Despite not being invited to perform at the Grammy's live show, The Root reported that Kanye's most recent album "Donda" is nominated for five Grammy awards.