XXXTentacion Rejected From Grammys 'In Memoriam' Segment
Fans who tuned in to Sunday’s Grammys noticed that XXXTentacion was left out of the “In Memoriam” segment.
According to Variety, representatives for XXX requested repeatedly that the Recording Academy recognize the late rapper. However, the show opted not to include him because of his history of domestic violence.
In December, Academy president Neil Portnow was asked whether the segment would include XXX. “It’s always a daunting task to consider the talented young artists who died this year,” he told Rolling Stone. “We don’t have pre-obits prepared like in journalism but we do leave time every year for an in memoriam and we will be planning that now. I don’t have an answer for you on XXX.”
The 20-year-old Florida native, born Jahseh Onfroy, was shot and killed last June during an attempted robbery in Miami. Prior to his death, he was facing several charges related to a 2016 incident in which he allegedly beat his pregnant ex-girlfriend. He reportedly admitted to domestic abuse and other violent acts in a secret recording that was released following his death.
Sunday’s “In Memoriam” segment did include other artists who died in the past year including Aretha Franklin, Mac Miller, and Avicii.
The omission did not sit well with XXX fans, who took to social media to voice their dismay.
The #Grammys couldn’t even say Rest In Peace to xxxtentacion. Disgraceful.
— Muhammad Hamdan (@muhamdan7) February 11, 2019
Lol Grammys couldn’t even put xxxtentacion in the “In Memoriam” section. Mad disrespectful. X’s death impacted millions just as everybody else did that was in the memoriam… Shameful. Grammy’s become more trash every year.
— xxx – fanpage (@tentacionfather) February 11, 2019
The fact that @xxxtentacion wasn’t remembered this year at the #GRAMMYs says a lot about them.
— Josh (@Josherrino) February 11, 2019