Last month, Pop Smoke took home the award for Best New Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. He won his award over NLE Choppa, Mulatto, Rod Wave, and Jack Harlow. 50 Cent, who was close with Smoke since before the tragic murder, recently weighed in on Smoke’s GRAMMY nomination chances. The nominees will be revealed on November 24.
50 said in an interview with Spotify’s Rap Caviar that Smoke may get recognized but not get nominated. He cited how big and mainstream the GRAMMYs are and that they may not show love to a drill rapper such as Smoke.
“If it’s recognized, it’ll only get recognized because he’s gone,” explained 50. “The content is similar to what I would do. They didn’t recognize mine. They gave me GRAMMYs when I was with Em. When I’m on records with Eminem. Other than that, they’re afraid to give him GRAMMYs because they think it’s teaching the audience to want to be like Pop. And to be like him is to be a part of gang culture. Who you see get GRAMMYs that is making Drill music? You mean to tell me ain’t none of those songs worthy of it? Those platforms are not for them to acknowledge. It’s for the culture, the people to embrace those tones and to really appreciate the artist for doing that.”
Smoke’s posthumous debut studio album, ‘Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon,’ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart following its July 3 release. Last month, it briefly returned to the top spot. 50 Cent executive produced this project and also appeared on the hit single, “The Woo,” which also featured Roddy Ricch. The album has since been certified platinum in the US.
