Pop Smoke’s second posthumous album Faith was released today, but not everyone is celebrating.
The late rapper’s close friend Mike Dee is addressing fans who have criticized the album’s release. Taking to his Instagram Story, he said he was not involved in the process and didn’t even know the album was dropping until it was announced.
“For anybody saying why did I anybody drop this or that. I had no involvement in my dawgz album didn’t even know a album was dropping until it got broadcasted on this internet shit,” he wrote.
Mike Dee grew up with Pop Smoke and was with him the day he was fatally shot during a home invasion robbery in the Hollywood Hills on Feb. 19, 2020.
“I’m upset my damn self at it cuss I know he wouldn’t even want this like this,” he added.
It’s unclear what exactly he’s upset about or who he’s upset with. Some have criticized the decision to release a second posthumous Pop Smoke album within a year of the first album Shot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, while others feel that the project relies too heavily on features.
Despite his sentiments, Dee still encouraged fans to support Faith. He shared a screenshot from Apple Music and told fans to stream the album. “But Y’all Know Y’all Gotta Still Run Those Numbers Tf Up For The Woo,” he wrote. “The Smoke Ain’t Clearing.”
Pop Smoke’s managers, Steven Victor and Rico Beats, have overseen both posthumous album releases. Faith has also received the blessing of Pop’s mother, Audrey Jackson, who can be heard on the opening track “Good News.”
Dee is not the only one close to Pop who is seemingly upset. Rowdy Rebel was also unhappy that rapper Eli Fross was taken off the track “Top Shotta,” while someone who goes by Moe Woola on Instagram called out Pop’s managers. “Fu**in bozos could never do nothing right!” he wrote.
Faith features appearances from Kanye West, Dua Lipa, Rick Ross, Future, Chris Brown, Pusha T, and more