50 Cent calls out Grammys over Best Rap Album nominations
Pop Smoke’s ‘Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon,’ which 50 executive produced, was not nominated.
50 Cent called out the Grammys for being “out of touch” after the organization revealed its 2021 award nominations on Tuesday (Nov. 24). The New York native took particular issue with the Recording Academy’s nominations for Best Rap Album, which notably left out Pop Smoke’s posthumous record, Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon.
In a since-deleted Instagram post, 50 reflected on the category’s current contestants: D Smoke, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist, Jay Electronica, Nas and Royce Da 5’9”.
“Best Rap Album,” he wrote, followed by some grinning emojis. “They out of touch this shit ain’t it, get the fuck outta here.”
While 50 Cent’s comments are likely a response to the absence of Pop Smoke’s record — which he executive produced — he previously admitted that he’d be surprised if the awards show recognized the late Brooklyn rapper.
“If it’s recognized it will only be because he’s gone,” 50 told RapCaviar prior to Tuesday’s nominations announcement. “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 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?”
50’s criticism of the Grammys follows similar complaints from Teyana Taylor, The Weeknd and Nicki Minaj, who reminded fans of her Best New Artist snub from eight years ago.
“Never forget the Grammys didn’t give me my Best New Artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on Billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade — went on to inspire a generation,” the Queen rapper wrote on Twitter. “They gave it to the white man Bon Iver.”
Although Pop’s Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon was not nominated for Best Rap Album, he is up for a posthumous Best Rap Performance award for his song “Dior,” which appeared on the album as a bonus track.
See a screenshot of 50’s deleted post below.
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