When the 2021 GRAMMY Awards nominations were announced last week, we saw tons of familiar names, one of them being D Smoke. The Inglewood native got nominated for two categories, “Best Rap Album and Best New Artist.”
Billboard spoke with the Black Habits emcee and he shared his excitement about seeing his name multiple times throughout the nominations.
“I’ve trained myself to not look too far into things until they materialize,” D Smoke said. “I figured if I didn’t raise my expectations too much then there’s no real disappointment to experience. But in doing so, once the news came I was through the roof. Literally, my voice is tired today from all the yelling I’ve been doing.”
D Smoke also expressed his gratitude toward Snoop Dogg for his guest appearance on the album.
“I had to re-celebrate over and over again, because that project is such a collective body of work from the producers I collaborated with to the features,” D Smoke said. “I had to get on the phone with Snoop Dogg and thank him for doing that feature that just put us in front of so many people.”
Win or lose, D Smoke says he is grateful to be a part of the music industry’s most prestigious night.
“It’s a beautiful moment to have, regardless of what the outcome is,” D Smoke added. “It put me in the conversation of those considered for the highest honor in music. I naturally feel a great deal of responsibility to make music that one: confirms that people selected correctly, and two: continues to inspire, entertain and uplift people. But whatever happens that night, I’m proud, primarily because of the company I’m among.”
The 63rd Grammy Awards show will air live from the STAPLES Center on CBS, January 31.
