Pop Smoke fans may be disappointed due to recent news. According to a direct message conversation on Instagram between Pop Smoke’s producer Rico Beats and a fan, the late rapper has no more music left to release. Recently, in a direct message conversation on Instagram between a fan and Pop Smoke’s producer Rico Beats, the […]
The post Pop Smoke’s Producer Claims No More Posthumous Releases Are Possible appeared first on SOHH.com.
Pop Smoke was an artist that was set to take the industry by storm. With this untimely passing, came many fans and artists alike that wanted to honor his legacy. In the wake of his passing, one mural, in particular, garnered the internet’s attention. A botched mural of Pop Smoke had been found, setting the entire internet ablaze. Many users didn’t hold back describing their distaste for the mural saying it was an embarrassment to the late rapper. It appears that someone has tried to remedy this egregious act.
The original botched mural that went viral at Pop Smokes Exotic was redone recently, but fans and critics had some choice words for the piece. Some fans commented saying “just take the walls down,” while others (still disappointed) gave some words of encouragement. “Bro needs to learn about proportions, a basic art technique, but it looks much better,” said one commenter. As a Pop Smoke fan, the mural definitely looks better than what it was. However, it’s not the most accurate depiction of the late rapper. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen botched artwork of some our biggest celebrities.
The last time we saw botched art go viral was when the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust surfaced. Many Ronaldo and sports fans alike were left stunned at the completely inaccurate depiction of the soccer legend. Pop Smoke meant a lot to the city of New York, but he was also ushering a new wave into the industry. It was as if we were seeing a second coming of Fifty Cent (minus all the beef). So much so, even Fif could see the resemblance between the two New York natives.
You never want to see an artist lose their life so soon. Especially one as talented as Pop. Thanks to Pop Smoke, we all got to Meet the Woo with his trademark voice, grimy raps, and infectious New York drill sound. New York drill was put on the map the moment Pop Smoke stepped foot on the scene. It was a sound that gave us all a newfound energy. Although it’s tragic what happened to Pop Smoke, it’s great to see his memory kept alive in all forms of art. What do you think of the Pop Smoke mural? Did they get it right? Let us know below!
On February 19th, 2020, Bashar Barakah Jackson, a.k.a Pop Smoke, a rising star in Brooklyn’s drill music scene, died via a gunshot wound. The murder occurred during a home invasion at a Los Angeles rental house. He was only 20 years old.
Prior to his death, Pop Smoke had released his second compilation album, Meet the Woo 2. This album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, marking his first top-10 hit in the US.
According to prosecutors, on the day of Pop Smoke’s murder, Corey Walker and four others arrived at the house just after 4 a.m. When they got there, their goal was to locate luxury goods including a diamond-encrusted watch that Pop Smoke had flaunted on his social media pages. Allegedly, four of the five individuals entered the residence.
On July 9, 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they had apprehended five people in connection to the killing of Pop Smoke. Shortly after, prosecutors revealed that four of those suspects faced charges with the slaying. Corey Walker, who was 19 years old at the time, Keandre Rodgers, who was 18, and two minors, whose identities remain undisclosed due to their age, were among those charged. The police did not charge the fifth person taken into custody.
Los Angeles Police Department detective Carlos Camacho stated, as reported by the New York Daily News that the 15-year-old suspect delivered the fatal shot. Camacho further alleged that Walker confessed to having requested the rapper’s gold chain and watch before engaging in a confrontation with him.
According to prosecutors, the masked assailants confronted Pop Smoke in his upstairs bedroom while he took a shower. The 15-year-old suspect shot him after a struggle and allegedly kicked him as the rapper was on the floor. The robbers allegedly expressed gratitude when they believed Pop Smoke would comply, but he ultimately fought back. As a result, the robbers pistol-whipped him, and the 15-year-old fired, striking Pop Smoke in the chest. The source of these details was reportedly a recorded conversation with an alleged informant in May 2020.
According to a report by The New York Daily News, Walker admitted his involvement in Pop Smoke’s death in a secret conversation with an informant in his jail cell. Despite pleading not guilty, Walker supposedly revealed that he and his accomplices wore ski masks and gloves.
They also utilized a police scanner to avoid detection during their robbery attempt. Law enforcement officials testified that all four suspects became aware of Pop Smoke’s location through his Instagram posts. Detective Frank Flores of the Los Angeles Police Department testified that surveillance footage shows Walker’s connection to Pop Smoke’s murder.
According to The New York Daily News, the video showed an Infinity vehicle transporting the suspects to the location of the crime. The license plate number belongs to Walker. The newspaper also reported that Walker was in the same vehicle at another time when police stopped it for an unrelated matter before the murder.
In October 2021, Walker, who was 20 years old, appeared in a Los Angeles court while his defense lawyer, Christopher Darden. They submitted a motion to dismiss his charges of murder and robbery. Darden argued that Walker had explicitly expressed his disapproval of violence before the murder.
A filing submitted by Darden argued that Walker did not enter the house. It states that he was not armed and did not share the intent to murder. Darden stated that his client was only the driver of the vehicle and remained outside. Walker claimed that he knew that they brought a weapon but made it clear that it should not be used. Instead, he suggested using a flower vase if necessary. After the robbers exited the house, Walker learned of the shooting and subsequently assaulted the shooter.
Corey Walker, who is now 21 years old, was scheduled to begin trial on October 13, 2022, in a Los Angeles court. However, his defense attorney requested a postponement. The Superior Court Judge, Curtis B. Rappe, granted the request.. Walker will face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted as charged. District Attorney’s office announced they would not seek the death penalty.
One of four men charged with murder pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in April 2023. The individual was 17 years old at the time of the crime and also entered a guilty plea for home invasion robbery. As a result, the judge sentenced K to spend four years and two months in a juvenile facility. According to The Los Angeles Times, he did not receive any credit for time served at a juvenile detention center. A pretrial hearing begins on May 5 for the remaining defendants in the Pop Smoke murder.
Pop Smoke was shot to death inside of his Hollywood Hills home in February 2020. The New York-born rapper (real name Bashar Barakah Jackson) tragically lost his life at just 20 years old. Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that one man connected to Pop Smoke’s murder pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
There have been efforts to preserve his memory, including posthumous releases and the debut of a mural in his Brooklyn neighborhood months after his death.
Today, April 17, an mural, supposedly of the rapper is making the rounds online — and it looks nothing like Pop Smoke:
Fans are not happy with new Pop Smoke mural pic.twitter.com/DOU9QCkOLW
— No Jumper (@nojumper) April 17, 2023
New Pop Smoke mural revealed
pic.twitter.com/meB3JtnrmN
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) April 17, 2023
It’s unclear where the mural is located (it appears to be inside of a store), and it hasn’t been totally confirmed that the mural is intended to reflect Pop Smoke, but it does (somewhat) bear a resemblance to a photo of the late rapper.
Nah this is just wrong man pic.twitter.com/vLSZmL9em2
— Himenez (@typevalid) April 15, 2023
Y’all feelin this Pop Smoke mural?
pic.twitter.com/FsTmKZJscc
— Rap Alert (@The_rap_alert) April 17, 2023
The reactions are predictably negative. Commenters flooded No Jumper’s post claiming that the painted figure looks more like Babyface Ray, Fivio Foreign, or Lil Durk.
“They put the Snapchat baby face filter on him smh…,” a tweeter going by Dan I wrote, while Everyrealm compared it to the infamous Ronaldo sculpture from 2017.
That’s porzingis lmaooo
— Re:animated (@ReanimatedYT) April 17, 2023
Nobody
— PATRYK (@__cski) April 17, 2023
— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) April 17, 2023
Amateur work
— Hsky (@hskyforever) April 17, 2023
Is that Pop Smoke or PopCaan pic.twitter.com/kiY84epjWO
— Pillows And Duvets (@PillowsAndDuvet) April 17, 2023
That ain’t Pop Smoke that’s Pop Steam pic.twitter.com/lQ8cV4Ohep
—
Biff Wiff
While the mural is objectively sore, it was much more egregious when Aubrey Jackson, Pop Smoke’s mother, shared in September 2021 that his gravesite had been vandalized.
Years after his untimely death, Pop Smoke’s legacy continues to loom large over the hip-hop world. However, not every attempt to immortalize and celebrate his memory has gone over particularly well. On one hand, some people disrespectfully vandalized The Woo’s mural last December to many’s outrage. Still, a new mural has people feeling heated for other, albeit much less overtly disrespectful reasons. On Monday (April 17), an unknown mural made rounds on social media, for which people don’t know the location, artist, or if it was even meant to resemble Pop. However, the details certainly match up, even if many fans think it looks nothing like the rapper.
Of course, Twitter had a field day reacting to this news, either making jokes about it or expressing straight up disgust. Still, since it’s unclear where this mural is, it’s not like people can go out and ask around its location to see who could explain some more. Despite the confusion, it looks to be inside a store, so take that hint and run with it if you’re in the New York area. Also, this news comes shortly after a suspect in his murder pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received a sentence of four years and two months in juvenile detention.
New Pop Smoke mural revealed
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) April 17, 2023
Even though this mural isn’t the best look for Pop Smoke’s legacy, given that his fans seem to hate it, the New York legend lives on in many other ways. One of those is his strong connections to other heavy-hitters in the industry who tell stories of what a pleasure he was to work with. “I f***ed with Pop Smoke and the whole Drill sound,” Polo G said on the Full Send podcast. “You know, coming from Chicago, that’s where that s**t started at. So, I really tapped into they s**t. I hit up Pop like, ‘Yo, let’s do this.’ He had been hitting me up in the past, but before I knew who he was. And then, when I seen they wave going strong, I hit him like, ‘Yo, I f**k with y’all s**t. Let’s do something.’” Polo was asked if he worked with Pop in the studio.
“The craziest thing, I worked with him right before he passed,” he continued. “I was in the studio with him. He said he was leaving to L.A. I stayed in New York an extra day to make sure Fivio [Foreign] laid his verse [for ‘Clueless’]. And Pop, a contact was telling me Pop wanted to get in the stu in L.A. the night he passed. ‘Cause I live there, he live there. We was supposed to get up.” Furthermore, he shared that Pop Smoke asked Polo for the name of a popular Chicago spot to shout out in his verse, and he did exactly that. Check out reactions to the controversial Pop Smoke mural below and return to HNHH for more on the late legend’s legacy.
That ain’t Pop Smoke that’s Pop Steam pic.twitter.com/lQ8cV4Ohep
—
Nigga this is NOT pop smoke. Wtf
https://t.co/mCWspV7d5g
— 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘞𝘕
(@ShawnIsShady) April 17, 2023
This pop want no smoke
https://t.co/UaqxH42Mbs
— Vamp
(@NoSleepVamp) April 17, 2023
This is Durk with Pop Smoke braids ): https://t.co/fvLYEUXOaz
— ᗷ𝐔𝓽𝓽𝒶α.
(@shaibuttaa) April 17, 2023
this what happen when you say pop and forget the smoke
pic.twitter.com/Z8j58TRmvF
— nathan℣ (@sippinhardd) April 17, 2023
That ain’t pop smoke that is mom spoke cuase that mf don’t look none like Pop Smoke https://t.co/YyeVJNbOal
— Cuban Pete
Young Machete
Bondo Ape (@reredrumG) April 17, 2023
They done put a Snapchat filter on my nigga Pop Smoke https://t.co/anysmkWZmu
— Wes
(@biigwes_) April 17, 2023
Fivio Foreign gained recognition after the release of his hit single “Big Drip,” which got a remix treatment that featured Lil Baby and Quavo. He has continued to rise the ranks of New York’s new school rappers with his critically acclaimed debut, B.I.B.L.E. BigFish released the album in April 2022 with distribution from Columbia Records.
B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) debuted at No. 9 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It sold 29,000 equivalent units and has so far garnered 37.75 million streams. Additionally, Fivio Foreign has two official EPs; Pain and Love (2019) and 800 B.C (2020). He has also featured in numerous hit singles from artists like Drake, Kanye West, and Lil Tjay. These are some of his best songs so far.
This is the single that shot Fivio Foreign into the limelight. His 2019 800 BC mixtape features the original record and remix. The remix features Atlanta trap star Lil Baby and former Migos member, Quavo. Big Drip has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling a million equivalent single units. BigFish/Colombia Records released and distributed the song. AXL Beats produced the single.
“Head Shot” is one of the lead singles of Lil Tjay’s sophomore album, Born 2 Win, released in 2021. Fivio features on the record alongside Chicago native Polo G. The single has been certified platinum by the RIAA. It debuted at No. 21 on the US Billboard R&B and Hip-Hop Chart and No. 42 on the US Chart. Bordeaux and Non Native produced the single with contributions from 101 Slide, Dmac, and Tahj Money.
The lead single is the highest-charting song from the rapper’s B.I.B.L.E. album. It features Kanye West, who delivers a stellar verse, and Alicia Keys delivers a memorable repetitive hook. Ye returns the favor on “City of Gods” after Fivio was featured on his song “Off the Grid.” The song is another New York anthem that floats over Fivio Foreign’s signature drill beat.
“City of Gods” peaked at No. 46 on the US Billboard Chart and No. 15 on the R&B and Hip-Hop chart. The RIAA has certified the song Gold for half a million equivalent units sold. AyoAA, Hemz, and Kanye West produced “City of Gods”. Additionally, Lil Mav, Ojivolta, and The Chainsmokers have production credits on the song.
The single is from the late King Von’s debut album, Welcome to O’Block. Chopsquad DJ produced “I Am What I Am” as the official fourth single off the album. The single has been certified Gold by the RIAA and has been viewed 74 million times on YouTube. The record sees King Von and Fivio Foreign trade bars on grimy drill themes like sex, gun violence, and life in the inner cities.
Lil Tjay, now a frequent Fivio Foreign collaborator, delivers a catchy hook and an above-average hook on his song “Not in the Mood.” However, Fivio steals the show with the delivery of his verse. The song also features Kay Flock. BS Beats and AyoAA handled the production of the song. “Not in the Modd” peaked at No. 22 on the R&B and Hip-Hop chart and No. 62 on the US Chart. It has amassed 31 million views on YouTube.
Fivio Foregn’s heat reached the 6 God, Drake, and he decided to bring him on his Dark Lanes Demo Tapes project. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is certified platinum. “Demons” features a Fivio Foreign guest verse. The song sees Drake, Fivio, and Sosa Geek take turns delivering bars on the now-popular drill beat. Fivio’s cadence was impeccable. The single peaked at No. 20 on the R&B Chart and No. 34 on the US Chart. JB Made It produced the beat.
“Zoo York” comes off Lil Tjay’s third EP, State of Emergency, distributed by Columbia Records. The song features Fivio Foreign and the late drill rapper Pop Smoke. The words ‘Zoo York’ are a play on words extrapolated from New York, which the artists on the song call home. “Zoo York” has been certified platinum by the RIAA. It peaked at No. 28 on the R&B and Hip-Hop chart and No. 65 on the US Chart. Bordeaux and Non Native produced “Zoo York.” The song has been viewed 57 million times on YouTube since it was uploaded two years ago.
Fivio Foreign jumps on the “Off the Grid” single from the then highly anticipated Donda album from Kanye West. This is Fivio’s highest-peaking featured single. The song reached No. 4 on the US R&B and Hih-Hop Chart and No. 11 on the US Chart. “Off the Grid” also features an eerie verse from Playboy Carti. Kanye, 30 Roc AyoAA, Ojivolta David & Eli, and Sloane produced the over five minutes track. The album and the song have been certified platinum in the United States by the RIAA.
Three years after Pop Smoke’s (real name Bashar Barakah Jackson) tragic murder, the case is nearing a close. Revered as one of the driving forces behind New York’s drill music scene, the late rapper’s vocals continued to be used on tracks as recently as Tyga’s song “Sunshine,” released last summer. Initially, five people were investigated in connection to his death, but only four were formally charged.
Now, according to the Associated Press, one of those men has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. He previously pleaded guilty in Inglewood juvenile court to the charge of home invasion robbery. It is unclear if his four-year and two-month sentencing in a juvenile facility includes the voluntary manslaughter charge. But what is known at this time is that the judge preceding over the case “declined to apply the two years and eight months he has already spent in the juvenile hall toward his sentence.”
At the time of the slain, the defendant was just 17 years old (he’s 20 now), so his name was not released to the public. Neither was the identity of his co-defendant, who was 15 years old. The two other parties charged were Corey Walker (19 years of age at the time) and Keandre Rodgers (18 years old).
In the court testimony retrieved by the Los Angeles Times, a detective shared that Jackson was “in the shower when masked robbers confronted him. During a struggle, one attacker, who was 15, pistol-whipped the rapper and shot him three times in the back.” Before fleeing the scene, they stole the rapper’s diamond-studded Rolex watch, which they later sold for $2,000.
Three years ago, up and coming New York rapper Pop Smoke was killed during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills. Rumors circulated that accidentally showing his address on social media hours earlier led to his untimely demise.
One of the underaged invaders has just been sentenced to four years in a Youth Treatment Center.
LA Times reports:
A 20-year-old charged in the killing of Pop Smoke pleaded guilty in juvenile court Thursday, admitting he entered a Hollywood Hills mansion as a teenager in February 2020 intending to rob the rapper, who was shot to death in a struggle with his assailants.
The defendant pleaded guilty in an Inglewood courtroom to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery; he was the first to admit guilt of four defendants charged in the death of Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson.
Judge J. Christopher Smith sentenced the defendant to four years and two months in the Secure Youth Treatment Facility but warned he could remain in juvenile custody until he was 25. The judge declined to apply the two years and eight months he has already spent in juvenile hall toward his sentence.
Three others are charged in Jackson’s death: two juvenile defendants, 15 and 17 at the time of the homicide, and Corey Walker, who was 19. A judge has issued a court order barring the media from identifying the juvenile defendants.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Hilary Williams told a judge at a hearing in August that the defendant who pleaded guilty Thursday was no minor participant in the crime: He scouted the mansion, helped Walker recruit three other juveniles to rob Jackson and, after entering the home, remained in “constant communication” with Walker, who waited in the getaway car.
From a wiretap on his phone, detectives learned he’d committed other robberies, Williams added.
Martin Lijtmaer, the attorney for the defendant who pleaded guilty Thursday, argued his client was intellectually disabled, sparking a years-long series of examinations and hearings over his competency to stand trial.
Jody Ward, a psychologist who examined the defendant on behalf of the prosecution, testified in August that he appeared to be faking the disability.
After he was arrested, the defendant showed a familiarity with the judicial process that belied his alleged disability, Ward testified. He planned with his cellmate — a plant for the police, who were secretly recording the conversation — how to glean information from detectives without giving anything up himself, Ward said.
“OJ was able to beat his case even though there was blood on his socks,” he told his cellmate, according to Ward. But if all else failed, “I still got that Regional Center s—,” he said, a reference to the facility where he’d been diagnosed as disabled.
After handing down the sentence, Smith addressed the defendant. “I don’t know how you and your friends even came to the idea to rob someone, someone whose life was taken unnecessarily.”
The judge noted the defendant will one day return to his family. “Mr. Jackson is not. His life is done because of what you and your friends did. You owe. You owe.”
The post Pop Smoke Murder Accomplice Sentenced To Four Years In Youth Treatment Facility appeared first on The Source.
The death of Pop Smoke left a hole in the rap game, especially at a time when New York was reclaiming its sound. The rapper was shot and killed in the Hollywood Hills during a botched home invasion. Though there have been a number of conspiracy theories surrounding his death, police eventually apprehended three individuals they believe broke into the mansion on Feb. 19th, 2020, and murdered the rapper.
According to Associated Press, one of the individuals connected to the Brooklyn rapper’s death has pleaded guilty. The 20-year-old, who was 17 at the time of the murder, copped to one count of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to another count of home invasion robbery. As part of the guilty plea, he received a sentence of four years and two months in a juvenile facility. Since he was a minor at the time of the shooting, the judge put a publication ban on his name.
Throughout the investigation, detectives and prosecutors said that the three individuals located Pop Smoke’s mansion after he posted a picture of a gift bag with the address a day prior. The three individuals broke into the mansion where they found Pop Smoke in the shower. A struggle between Pop and one of the individuals broke out, leading to one of the attackers, who was 15 at the time, shooting the rapper in the back three times. The men left with diamond-encrusted Rolex and $2000 in cash.
Since Pop Smoke’s passing, his estate and friends have kept his name alive. A few months after his passing, 50 Cent, and Steven Victory released Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon, which boasted a star-studded tracklist including Quavo, Lil Baby, Future, Roddy Ricch, Fivio Foreign, Karol G, and more. A year later, they released Faith, which also included a number of heavy-hitter features. However, there hasn’t been anything in recent times indicating that another posthumous album is in the pipeline. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates on the murder trial surrounding Pop Smoke’s death.
(@nojumper)
