It’s a true shame that Mac Miller isn’t around to hear the big news, but man, it’s a special day. Mac, real name Malcolm McCormick, is among the nominees for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards in February of 2019.

61st Grammy Awards: Best Rap Album

INVASION OF PRIVACY (Cardi B)

SWIMMING (Mac Miller)

VICTORY LAP (Nipsey Hussle)

DAYTONA (Pusha T)

ASTROWORLD (Travis Scott)

When you think about it, the nomination is incredible. Mac, for so long, had to fight for respect in the hip-hop world. And while his early stuff wasn’t Grammy-worthy at all, you can’t really blame a high school kid who was largely doing his thing independently.

Still, he worked and worked and worked, and by the time Watching Movies With The Sound Off came out, he had fully gained respect inside the industry and it was clear he was special.

Swimming, the album which he received the nomination for, is his best work, at least in my opinion. It contained zero features, yet a dream team of collaborators wanted to work with Mac because it was such a special project. Some of the folks with credits on Swimming are J. Cole, John Mayer, Pharrell, Snoop Dogg, and Jon Brion.

Rest in peace, Mac, you deserve all the love that continues to come your way.