Steven Victor

Steven Victor Addresses Backlash Virgil Abloh Faced Over Pop Smoke Cover Art: “That Was Bullsh*t”

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Steven Victor, who managed Pop Smoke before the rapper’s death, says that the backlash Virgil Abloh faced for the cover art of Pop’s posthumous albums was “bullshit.” He discussed the controversy during a recent appearance on the Rap Radar podcast with Brian “B.Dot” Miller.

“That was bullshit,” he said. “People sit back and think they know, but they don’t know shit. They’re like, ‘oh, this is not what Pop would like.’ I’m like, ‘fuck you talkin’ about?’”

Read More: Steven Victor Addresses Criticism Surrounding Pop Smoke’s “Faith”

Pop Smoke At Rolling Loud

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Rapper Pop Smoke performs onstage during day 2 of the Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 15, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Abloh originally debuted cover artwork for Pop Smoke’s posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, that was replaced after backlash from fans. It featured a picture of Pop Smoke that was the first result of a Google Images search, which fans called lazy. Eventually, artist Ryder Ripps provided a new artwork that depicted a simple chrome rose against a black background.

Victor continued: “When we did the video for ‘Shake the Room,’ like that whole concept and idea was Virgil’s idea, and when we were going through the process, like at first, Pop was like—’cause, y’know, he’d never had a video like that—he was like, ‘I don’t know,’ but he trusted Virgil’s vision, so it would’ve been the same thing.” Check out his full appearance on Rap Radar below.

Steven Victor On Pop Smoke’s Album Covers

At the time of the controversy, Abloh addressed the backlash during an interview with Complex. “I think it’s important that we as young Black kids and community support and reference each other rather than looking for it outside of our ecosystem,” he said. “To me, [the original album cover I made] was exactly that. There was a bond and synergy amongst both of us just being ourselves. It was completely organic.”

Read More: Virgil Abloh Explains Controversial Pop Smoke Album Cover

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Pusha T’s Manager Explains Why He Almost Bailed On Kanye’s Hawaii Recording Sessions For ‘MBDTF’

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Of all the standout guest verses on Kanye West’s pivotal 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Pusha T’s verses on “Runaway” and “I’m So Appalled” are widely considered to be among the best. As it turns out, though, Pusha’s verses might not have been present — in fact, the whole trajectory of his career might have changed — were it not for the intervention of his manager, Steven Victor, who recently told Noah Callahan-Bever how Ye’s slow recording process frustrated Pusha to the point of quitting the island-bound sessions altogether.

In the lead-up to releasing the album, Kanye had absconded to Hawaii, seeking refuge after his 2009 VMAs dust-up with Taylor Swift. Feeling the recriminations of viewers who’d condemned his stage-rushing incident, he knew his next project would potentially be his last chance to swing public opinion back to his side. The recording sessions in Hawaii, which have since become music lore, gathered some of the biggest names in hip-hop for what would turn out to be arguably one of Ye’s best albums. However, because the process had involved so much downtime — the participants often notoriously skived off recording sessions to play basketball — Pusha, who’d been invited by Kanye after learning the Clipse rapper had recently gone solo, almost gave up.

“There’d be periods where we would be in Hawaii for like two or three weeks and no work would be getting done,” says Victor. “So for someone like Pusha, it’s like, ‘What is this? This doesn’t make sense.’ We were supposed to go out there one time and he was like, ‘Tsk. I’m not going, man. This ain’t it.’ I was like, ‘Nah, we have to go! [Kanye’s] process is his process.’ He was like, ‘I’m not going.’”

Eventually, Victor, who went solo, was able to cover for Push long enough to convince Kanye to extend a recording contract with GOOD Music to the Virginia rapper. That was enough to entice him back, and the rest, as they say, is history. Pusha rose through the ranks to become GOOD’s President, presiding over high-profile signings like 070 Shake and Desiigner. Check out the full interview below.

Pop Smoke Has A New Album On The Way, According To His Manager Steven Victor

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One of the highlights of 2020 was the arrival of Pop Smoke’s debut album, Shoot for The Stars, Aim for The Moon. The project arrived five months after Pop was shot and killed during a home invasion in a Hollywood mansion he was renting. The album became one of the most streamed of 2020 and has remained a mainstay in the top-10 of the Billboard album charts. For those who wanted more, the late rapper’s manager, Steven Victor, has some good news.

In a post to Twitter on Friday, Victor hinted at more music, writing, “POP SMOKE ALBUM,” with a slew of fire emojis. He also teased an upcoming album from Pusha T. The announcement comes after Rico Beats, who also worked with Pop Smoke, spoke about an upcoming project from the late rapper. “I see and hear everything,” he wrote under an Instagram post. “Kept it cool tho no worries. Pay back around the corner. Pop Smoke new album loading…”

As we wait for updates about the album, fans can expect to hear Pop Smoke on a pair of upcoming projects. He’s set to appear on “Lane Switcha” with Skepta, ASAP Rocky, Juicy J, and Project Pat, from the upcoming soundtrack for Fast & Furious 9. He will also make an appearance on Polo G’s upcoming album, Hall Of Fame, out on June 11.

Pop Smoke’s Manager Rips Grammys All-Time Low Ratings

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New Pop Smoke Music

Music industry executive Steven Victor is coming right at the Grammys. The hip-hop manager to the late Pop Smoke and artists like Pusha T has stepped up to get at the organization over its all-time low ratings. Pop Smoke’s Manager Rips Grammys Victor went to his Instagram page and didn’t hold back. Steven shared a […]

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