Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was a rising rap artist from Brooklyn, New York. He was born on July 20, 1999 and was only 20 years old at the time of his death on February 19, 2020.
Pop Smoke grew up in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, where he was raised by his mother and father. His parents were both from the Caribbean, his mother, Jamaican and his father is Panamanian. Pop Smoke was known to have a strong connection to his Caribbean heritage and often incorporated it into his music.
In a prior interview, he stated that his artist name of Pop Smoke is a combination of Poppa, a name given to him by his Panamanian grandmother.
Pop Smoke’s music career began in 2018, when he released his first song “MPR (Gang)” on SoundCloud. The song rapidly gained popularity in his Borough of Brooklyn and soon spread all over the country. In the months that followed, he released a number of other songs and music videos that helped to establish him as a rising star in the rap scene.
In 2019, Pop Smoke released his first EP, “Meet the Woo,” which featured the hit single “Welcome to the Party.” The song quickly gained popularity and was eventually remixed by Nicki Minaj. The EP was a critical success, with many praising Pop Smoke’s unique style and energy.
Pop Smoke’s debut studio album, “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon,” was released in July 2020, a few months after his death.
The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured collaborations with some of the biggest names in the rap industry, including 50 Cent, DaBaby, and Roddy Ricch.
Pop Smoke’s death was a shock to the music community, and it remains shrouded in mystery. He was shot and killed in a home invasion at a Hollywood Hills rental property on February 19, 2020. Four suspects were arrested and charged with murder in connection with his death, but the case is still ongoing.
Pop Smoke’s but his music continues to live on. He will always be remembered for his unique style, energy and for the way he represented his Caribbean heritage in his music. He was a rising star and his death was a big loss to the music industry.
His music continues to inspire people and will always be a reminder of the talent and potential that was taken too soon.
