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Pop Smoke was an American rapper, songwriter, and singer. He gained fame after releasing his single “Welcome To The Party” in 2019. He died during a home invasion that took place at his California residence on 19 February 2020.
Wiki/Biography
Bashar Barakah Jackson, professionally known as Pop Smoke was born on 20 July 1999 (Tuesday) (age 20 years; at the time of death) in Brooklyn, New York. He couldn’t complete his education properly as he was expelled from his school for bringing a gun. Following this, he spent two years in house arrest for weapon possession. At the age of 15, he was given a scholarship to Rocktop Academy, Philadelphia but unfortunately, he was asked to leave the academy due to some health issues. The story behind his name is that he chose Pop Smoke because his grandmother used to call him Poppa and his childhood friends called him Smoke.
Pop Smoke with cash in hands in a social media photo
Physical Appearance
Eyes Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
Family & Ethnicity
Pop Smoke belonged to the Jamaican-Panamanian ethnicity.
Parents & Relationships
Pop Smoke was in a relationship with Alyssa Danielle who goes by the Instagram username, “yummy_yellow_”.
Career
Pop Smoke started his career in the year 2018 with other recording artists like Jay Gwuapo where they would remix some of the popular songs that are within the New York City drill music. After learning, he went in the direction to create original music as he released his debut single, “MPR”. Following that year, in 2019, he released another song “Flexing” which got 100,000 vies in less than 24 hours. Soon after this, Pop Smoke signed a deal with Victor Victor Worldwide which, is a subsidiary of Universal Music. One song that pushed his fam further was his breakout single, “Welcome To The Party.” This song was the lead single in his debut album, “Meet The Woo.” He did several collaborations with artists like Jackboys, Travis Scott, etc. In February 2020, “Meet The Woo 2” was released with featuring songs with Quavo, Lil Tjay, A Boogie with da hoodie, and more. To surprise his fans, five days later, a deluxe version of the album was released with three new songs featuring NAV, Gunna, and PnB Rock.
Pop Smoke during a performance
Controversy
On 17 January 2020, Pop Smoke was arrested by the federal authorities at John F. Kennedy International Airport for the charges pressed against him for stealing a vehicle. The owner of a Rolls-Royce Wraith (valued at $375,000) reported to the police that the car was stolen after Smoke borrowed it for shooting a music video in California. The car was found at Smoke’s mother’s house in the Brooklyn region. Smoke had to pay a bail amount of $250,000 for his bail.
Death
Pop Smoke died on 19 February 2020 during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills, California. According to the reports by the authorities, four hooded men broke into the house around 4:30 a.m. and shot him twice. Police reached his residence in six minutes and he was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The doctors pronounced him dead with the cause of death being the gunshot wound to the torso. On 10 July 2020, five men were arrested in connection to the murder, and four were arrested. Those arrested were: Corey Walker (19 years), Keandre Rodgers (18 years), and two teens age 17 and 15 respectively.
Pop Smoke’s casket in a carriage going through Brooklyn
Facts/Trivia
- Pop Smoke released his debut album “Meet The Woo” with the help of Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. The second single from the mixtape, ‘Dior’ bagged 22 number on Billboard Hot 100.
- His second mixtape, “Meet The Woo 2” was released and reached number 7 on the Billboard 200.
Pop Smoke’s second hit mixtape, Meet The Woo 2
- “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon” was released in July 2020 and the album debuted at number one on Billboard 200 and all it’s 19 tracks entered the Billboard Hot 100.
- In April 2020, a documentary on Pop Smoke’s life was announced to be in the making.
- Pop Smoke has several tattoos on his body. He got “Faith” inked over his left eyebrow and apart from that, he has several tattoos on his neck, hands, and fingers.
Pop Smoke’s tattoos
- After his involvement with guns and drugs, he decided to turn his life around. Along with this, he always encouraged youth to stay away from all the gangs and other illegal activities. Few months after his death, the family announced the launch of ‘Shoot for the Stars’ foundation which would help and inspire youth to take the right path and achieve their goals.
- His songs have been used during the George Floyd protests in New York City as a symbol of resistance.