Music

Pop Smoke Receives A Posthumous Grammy Award Nomination For ‘Dior’

Getty Image ‘Dior’ became an unofficial protest anthem and appeared in some unlikely places in the wake of Pop Smoke’s death. …

Although he was no longer around to campaign on his own behalf, late Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke was able to secure a posthumous 2021 Grammy Award nomination for his summer single “Dior.” Pop Smoke was killed in February of this year during a home invasion as he rode the success of his summer 2019 hit “Welcome To The Party” and prepared for the release of his debut album. That album, Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon, was released posthumously and contained “Dior” as a bonus track, although the song had previously served as the single for Pop Smoke’s mixtape Meet the Woo 2 after originally appearing on the tape’s predecessor six months before.

The song oddly became an unofficial protest anthem, despite not addressing police brutality or racism, as protestors played the song during demonstrations in Seattle and New York City. It also appears on the soundtrack of the recently released NBA 2K21. The beat was used during the 2020 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher.

In the wake of his death, Pop Smoke became an icon around which the burgeoning New York drill scene began to rally, as the gruff-voiced 20-year-old’s last few recorded verses turned into a hot commodity for clout-seeking majors. Young Thug and Pusha T exchanged heated words over a song both appeared on after Pusha used his verse to continue dissing Drake, while Pop’s final verses appeared on projects from the likes of Nav, French Montana, and more.

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Artist Spotlight

Kenton Hall & The Necessary Measures unveils a big record on a small budget with “The Sun Shone Down”

Kenton Hall and The Necessary Measures‘ latest release, “The Sun Shone Down,” is a huge track and proudly wears independent artistry. Conceived to make a “big record on a small budget,” the track shows how imagination and passion can outweigh studio costs. Each layer, strings, horns, keys, choirs, creates a cinematic yet emotional sound.

The philosophy behind “The Sun Shone Down” is intriguing. Kenton Hall embraces limitations, making collaboration and creativity the currency of the song. The music evokes gratitude. That reflects the amazing people and artistic relationships that shaped the record. It is ambitious for spectacle and emotional impact.

Hall writes songs about the unspoken emotions people feel, conflict, hope, longing, and survival. That authenticity gives the track weight beyond the lush instrumentation. More than just a great sound. Feeling great. Kenton Hall & The Necessary Measures’ personal and expansive song is born of emotional honesty and a richly layered production, reminding us that belief, not budgets, powers some of the biggest records.

Connect with Kenton Hall and The Necessary Measures on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube

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Artist Spotlight

Leyla Romanova finds strength in silence on new release “Self-Control”

Leyla Romanova‘s new single, “Self-Control,” is a powerful emotional release that feels more like a manifesto for surviving modern chaos than a song. In a world of opinions, urgency, and emotional exhaustion, Romanova offers a track based on one radical idea: not reacting.

“Self-Control” immediately creates tension and clarity. The drums keep everything together with discipline and purpose. As the textured instrumentals expand like waves of thought through a crowded mind, the bass anchors the listener emotionally.

The contrast between outside noise and inside stillness makes the song compelling. Romanova’s work captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by pressure, opinions, and distractions while silently retaining personal peace. There are no major uprisings. But restraint is power. The song knows energy conservation is a survival strategy.

Connect with Leyla Romanova on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube