On June 21, the outlet revealed negotiations with Corey Walker, the only defendant to be tried as an adult, have hit a wall. The defendant’s lawyer, Deion Benjamin, shared a statement with the publication.
“Negotiations fell through,” he said. “But there’s still a possibility we’ll come to an agreement. A few things need to be ironed out. If they don’t get resolved, we’ll go to trial.”
The legal fates of the two other alleged assailants has been determined. In April 2023, another defendant linked to the case pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. The following month, another man reportedly pled guilty to participating in the incident.
During an interview with ABC News, Jackson’s mother, Audrey, spoke about her reaction to the gut-wrenching news. “It didn’t sink in,” she said. “And as I was moving through, it still wasn’t… It didn’t hit until I actually saw his body, which was a few days in. Intellectually, I understood. And that kind of is still where I am. Intellectually, I understand it. The rest of me hasn’t.”
Jury selection for Walker’s trial is reportedly scheduled to take place on August 6.
According to numerous online reports and social media activity, authorities reportedly released one of Pop Smoke’s alleged killers from jail (specifically juvie) for what seems like his 21st birthday. Moreover, there isn’t a lot of concrete information available about this supposed release at press time, other than this being the completion of the alleged killer’s four-year sentence for pleading guilty to murder. This follows other developments in the New York drill rapper’s murder case, such as an alleged eyewitness explaining how it all went down. That took place on social media, though, not in court. As such, there are still a lot of unanswered questions and doubts when it comes to this tragedy.
Furthermore, four years have passed since Pop Smoke died in a home invasion and robbery, and only one defendant remains in his case. Corey Walker is also the only adult defendant in this case, and the court delayed his trial due to an inability to settle a plea agreement with prosecutors. “Negotiations fell through, but there’s still a possibility we’ll come to an agreement,” defense attorney Deion Benjamin told Rolling Stone. “A few things need to be ironed out. If they don’t get resolved, we’ll go to trial,” for which jury selection would begin on August 6.
However, this vague release definitely isn’t the most odd or bizarre thing to emerge out of this Pop Smoke case. Some connected it to the death of rapper Sirtanky, and believe that the latter passed away as a move of retaliation for the murder of the former. In fact, the Los Angeles rapper washed up in a barrel on the shores of Malibu, a gruesome and disturbing end with unclear context behind it. Hopefully no further violence affects this whole situation.
Meanwhile, Pop Smoke continues to live on as a staple of contemporary New York hip-hop, falling alongside city legends that have also done a lot to rep for the city in their respective eras. Sadly, his time on this Earth was far too short for him to fully enjoy and realize his impact, potential, talents, and life. Hopefully this release is a sign of completed justice, and that folks involved have learned from their horrific actions. We’ll see how else The Woo endures.
Which leaves Corey Walker, the only defendant to be tried as an adult, who pled not guilty to murder and three other charges stemming from the home invasion. According to Rolling Stone, his trial has been set for July 25 in Los Angeles. His defense lawyer Christopher Darden — who has since been replaced — argued that Walker was not party to the the actual murder, saying he “remained outside seated in the driver’s seat” of his car, which he shared with his grandmother. However, prosecutors say Walker that while he may not have “planned” the crime as his attorney insists, he did “facilitate” it by providing weapons, casing the scene, and serving as getaway driver.
They say Walker remained in contact with the juveniles via cell phone during the robbery and that he researched the targeted item, a Rolex watch the trio later sold for just $2,000. Darden’s failed 2021 motion to dismiss the charges against Walker told his accomplices to defend themselves with a flower vase before resorting to gunplay.
California police are investigating a disturbing connection between the murder of New York rapper Pop Smoke and a gruesome discovery in Malibu. On July 31, a barrel washed ashore containing the naked body of Javonnta Murphy, the brother of one of the suspects arrested for the late rapper’s murder. Possible Retaliation? In a shocking turn […]
Even though it’s been three years since, Pop Smoke’s tragic passing hasn’t gotten any easier to reckon with. In addition, it also remains a point of mystery and contention from a case perspective, with those accused of robbing him and taking his life either confessing or still in court. However, the case just got even murkier in relation to another saddening and grim murder. Moreover, local Los Angeles rapper Sirtanky was found dead inside of a barrel on the shores of Malibu earlier this week. Sirtanky, real name Javonnta Murphy, apparently has a link to the drill rapper’s case that caused police to investigate further.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told TMZ that the following connection is just one of many possible theories and motives for Murphy’s death. Furthermore, the publication learned that Sirtanky’s brother, Jaquan Murphy, is one of the men who authorities arrested for Pop Smoke’s murder back in 2020. He was cleared of this crime, though, and is not one of the men still facing justice for their crimes. Still, Jaquan Murphy is awaiting trial as of writing this article for an unrelated homicide charge in the area.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Pop Smoke performs at the Soulfrito Music Festival at Barclays Center on August 30, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Arik Mazur/Getty Images)
As such, police are reportedly investigating this as a potentially retaliatory attack. With the case details still being quite vague, it will be hard to identify a motive without further information. Regardless, law enforcement isn’t ruling any possibilities out when it comes to this grisly cases. When they initially found out about Sirtanky’s body, they suspected “foul play” due to his body being naked. “At about 8 p.m., there’s a high tide here,” Lt. Hugo Renaya told The Los AngelesTimes. “There’s a possibility that the container could have come in from the ocean and then got stuck in the lagoon. But we don’t know.”
Meanwhile, one of the men accused of the New York MC’s murder, an 18-year-old, recently confessed to the crime. Others either pleaded guilty or are still awaiting trial and judgement for their involvement in the house raid. Even though this could be connected to Sirtanky’s death after all, it’s unclear how it would impact Pop’s case, if at all. With that in mind, for more news and the latest updates on these stories, stick around on HNHH. Rest In Peace Sirtanky & Pop Smoke.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York is honoring East Coast rappers in a very special way. In conjunction of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the MTA is issuing special edition cards featuring rappers who hail from New York City — the birthplace of hip-hop.
On different versions of the Metro Cards are rappers LL Cool J, Pop Smoke, Rakim, and Cam’Ron. The cards arrive as part of a partnership with Universal Music Group.
The LL Cool J and Pop Smoke cards are available beginning today, at stations in their respective neighborhoods. LL Cool J’s will be available to purchase at Forest Hills-71 Av and Pop’s Canarsie-Rockaway Pkwy (L) & New Lots Av (3)
4 new commemorative MetroCards are dropping as part of a collaboration with @UMG in celebration of #HipHop50!
Grab yours at full-service vending machines at these stations starting tomorrow: @llcoolj: Forest Hills-71 Av Pop Smoke: Canarsie-Rockaway Pkwy (L) & New Lots Av (3) pic.twitter.com/Ta0Z38Gspc
Cam and Rakim’s will be available for purchase later this month, throughout the entire MTA system.
“From standing on top of the Empire State Building to grabbing a slice at the corner pizza shop, NYC creates iconic moments that are recognized around the world,” said Rakim in a statement. “But it doesn’t get closer to real city life than swiping a metro card and standing clear of the closing doors. It’s an honor to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary on the streets…and now below them…of the city where hip-hop was born.”
In similar New York-related news, the Brooklyn Public Library also recently announced that it would be offering a selection of Jay-Z inspired library cards, as part of its ongoing The Book Of Hov exhibition, honoring the rapper’s inspiring career.
Sadly, posthumous releases from slain rappers are an occurrence that is more common than it should be. From legends like Notorious B.I.G. to young MCs like Pop Smoke, some artists don’t get to see the full impact they made on fans. While they, by no means, make up for such losses, some rappers get their accolades after their passing. Even in death, the music and creative forces of these rappers can not be quelled. Here are seven rappers who we’ve lost and the posthumous awards they have won. So pour one out for some of the rap game’s greatest titans in a bittersweet tribute to their talents.
7. Pop Smoke
Bashar Jackson, better known as Pop Smoke, was a rapper who we lost far too early. Smoke was murdered in a rental property in Los Angeles on February 19th, 2020, at the tender age 20. His loss was a massive blow to the hip-hop community, and the music industry, at large.
His legacy and music continued to touch fans everywhere after his death. In 2021, the Billboard Music Awards posthumously awarded the late rapper five accolades including Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Album for Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. His mother Audrey Jackson accepted the awards on her late son’s behalf. Simply heartbreaking. Smoke has also posthumously won an iHeartRadio Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Song in 2022.
Nipsey Hussle was a West Coast legend in his own right. After a string of speaker-crushing mixtapes, the LA-based MC would release his first studio album Victory Lapin 2018. Unfortunately, it would be the only studio album Nipsey would see released in his lifetime. On March 31st, 2019, at the age of 33, Nipsey was gunned down in the parking lot of Marathon Clothing.
Nipsey’s legacy of community activism and music was not lost in the wake of his untimely death. At the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, the late rapper’s song “Racks in the Middle” would take the Best Rap Performance award. Nipsey’s family accepted the posthumous award on his behalf. DJ Khaled’s song “Higher” also earned Nipsey a second posthumous Grammy the same night.
Juice WRLD (born Jarad Higgins) was a SoundCloud rap luminary as a teenager. The Chicago native would go on to amass a large fanbase and see a pair of successful album releases in his life. Sadly, on December 8th, 2019, Juice WRLD died due to an acute overdose of pharmaceutical opiates, at the age of 21.
After his passing Juice would go on to earn posthumous accolades. His work won the Favorite Male Artist – Hip-Hop at the 2020 American Music Awards. He would also earn the Best Hip-Hop Album Award at the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards for Death Race for Love, which was the last release before his death.
4. XXXTentacion
Jahseh Onfroy (better known as XXXTentacion) was a figure in hip-hop who was as influential as he was controversial. The Florida-native rapper/producer helped usher in a new wave of lo-fi rap with a DIY punk attitude. Despite his complicated legacy, XXXTentacion has remained a massive influence on artists across genres. However, his influence was cut short when Onfroy was murdered on June 18th, 2018, at the age of 20.
XXXTentacion won an American Music Award in the Favorite Album-Soul/R&B category for 17, only a few months after his death. The win was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing the award going to a convicted abuser with a violent past. Onfroy’s mother, Cleopatra Bernard accepted her son’s posthumous win.
3. Takeoff
Takeoff was one-third of hip-hop hitmakers Migos, along with his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset. A member of Migos, he was the recipient of an MTV Video Music Award, an American Music Award, and several BET Awards. That’s just to name a few. Unfortunately, Takeoff died in Houston, Texas on November 1st, 2022, at the age of 28 from gun violence.
In 2023, Takeoff and his bandmate/uncle, Quavo took home the Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song at the NAACP Image Awards. The duo won for their song “Hotel Lobby.”
2. Notorious B.I.G.
The legend known as Notorious B.I.G. was an irreplaceable stitch in the tapestry of rap music. Born Christopher Wallace, the incomparable NYC rapper was (and always will be) considered one of the biggest influences on modern hip-hop. His body of work still hits the airwaves around the world and his syrupy lyrical delivery has yet to be replicated. He was truly larger than life.
Unfortunately, a drive-by shooting on March 9th, 1997 cut that life short. The rapper was 24 years old and had untold potential ahead of him. After his death, Biggie would earn a pair of MTV Music Video Awards and a Soul Train Music Award. In 2020, the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inducted Christopher Wallace.
1. Tupac Shakur
What can be said about Tupac Shakur that hasn’t already been said? The man was an American icon who transcended mediums in both music and film. He was heartfelt poet with a silver tongue and a complicated history. He was also one of the faces of rap music’s Mount Rushmore (along with Biggie Smalls). However, the world lost Pac on September 13th, 1996, at the age of 25.
Shakur had won a handful of awards, most of them posthumously. In 1997 he won the Soul Train Music Award for Best Album of the Year for All Eyez on Me. That same year, Tupac won an American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist.
In a shocking revelation, an 18-year-old defendant, whose identity remains undisclosed, has admitted to the murder of Pop Smoke. The defendant, who was 15 years old at the time of the crime, recently confessed to a juvenile court petition charging him with first-degree murder. The incident occurred during a court date in Los Angeles on […]
An 18-year-old man who was charged in the 2020 shooting of rapper Pop Smoke has admitted to killing him in a juvenile court hearing, according to a report from Los Angeles Times.
The hearing took place this past Friday (May 12), wherein the 18-year-old also admitted to home-invasion robbery along with allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm at the time. The man was 15 years old at the time, and is reportedly expected to serve time in a state juvenile facility until he turns 25.
During the hearing, L.A. County Superior Court Judge J. Christopher Smith told the 18-year-old and his 19-year-old co-defendant that Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Jackson, “lost his life over no good reason.” The judge has issued an order for the names of the defendants who were minors at the time to be withheld.
“You have no right to take somebody’s life. You have no right to take somebody’s property,” Smith said, per City News Service.
Additionally, three other people were charged in the killing of Pop Smoke during the hearing, according to the Associated Press. A teenager, whose name was also ordered to be withheld by the media, as well as Corey Walker, who was 19 at the time, and Keandre Rodgers, who was then 18, were charged with murder during the commission of a robbery and burglary.
