Pop Smoke

Bashar Barakah Jackson, known to the world as Pop Smoke, was an American rapper born on July 20, 1999, in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He burst onto the music scene in 2019 with his breakout singles "Welcome to the Party" and "Dior," tracks that introduced a new sound blending UK drill's minimalist, aggressive production with Brooklyn street energy. Pop Smoke became the face of Brooklyn drill, collaborating heavily with British producers and artists to craft a style that felt both raw and infectious. His deep, gravelly voice and menacing ad-libs made him instantly recognizable, and he quickly became one of the most exciting new voices in hip-hop.

After his initial viral success, producer Rico Beats connected Pop Smoke with Steven Victor in April 2019. Victor soon signed him to Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. That July, Pop Smoke dropped his debut mixtape Meet the Woo, which solidified his reputation. His second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, arrived on February 7, 2020, and debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, marking his first top-10 project. Just twelve days later, on February 19, 2020, Pop Smoke was tragically killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles. He was only 20 years old.

In death, Pop Smoke's influence only grew. His posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, was executive produced by fellow New Yorker 50 Cent and released in July 2020. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and all 19 tracks charted on the Hot 100. The album featured hits like "For the Night" with DaBaby and Lil Baby, and "What You Know Bout Love." A second posthumous album, Faith, followed in 2021. Despite a brief career spanning just over a year, Pop Smoke left behind a catalog that reshaped drill music and cemented his place as a generational talent.[edit]

Pop Smoke grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, raised by his mother Audrey Jackson after his Jamaican immigrant father left when he was young. He attended nine different schools, including a brief stint in Philadelphia, and was eventually expelled from high school. A talented basketball player, he played for the AAU team New York Lightning, but his education was repeatedly disrupted by street life. His first steps toward music came in 2018 when he discovered the UK drill scene online. He connected with producer Rico Beats, who introduced him to UK drill producers like 808Melo. In April 2019, Rico Beats played Pop Smoke's song "PTSD" for Steven Victor, leading to a signing with Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. That signing was the catalyst for everything that followed.[edit]

Pop Smoke's breakthrough came in April 2019 with "Welcome to the Party," produced by 808Melo. The song went viral, earning millions of streams and co-signs from Drake and Nicki Minaj. It was followed by "Dior," which became an anthem and a defining track of the Brooklyn drill movement. His debut mixtape Meet the Woo dropped in July 2019, recorded in a single day. His second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, arrived on February 7, 2020, and debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200. Just twelve days later, on February 19, 2020, he was killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles. His posthumous debut album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, executive produced by 50 Cent, was released on July 3, 2020. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and all 19 tracks charted on the Hot 100, setting a record for the most simultaneous Hot 100 entries by a deceased solo artist. A second posthumous album, Faith, was released in 2021.[edit]

Pop Smoke's public image is defined by his raw, menacing delivery and the tragic brevity of his career. Media portray him as a generational talent who died at his peak. His signature style includes a deep, gravelly voice, heavy use of ad-libs like "Woo," and a fashion sense that mixed streetwear with high-end brands. His fandom, often called the "Woo" or "Woo Fam," is known for its intense loyalty and frequent use of the "Woo" chant at concerts. His social media voice, managed posthumously, is reflective and focused on legacy.[edit]

Pop Smoke remains the defining figure of Brooklyn drill, a voice that bridged UK production techniques with New York street narratives before his untimely death in 2020. His fanbase lacks a single, officially designated collective noun like those found in pop culture, instead coalescing around the hashtag #Woo, a phrase derived from his signature ad-lib and debut mixtape. This community demonstrated remarkable organization following his passing, orchestrating sustained streaming campaigns to ensure his posthumous album *Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon* reached number one on the Billboard 200. Fans continue to honor his legacy through annual birthday tributes on July 20th and charitable initiatives supporting the Pop Smoke Foundation, which funds youth programs in Brooklyn. The intensity of his live performances is often recounted in lore, with stories of crowds overwhelming security during shows where the collective chanting of "Woo" became a ritualistic sign-off. A specific legend persists regarding his January 2020 appearance on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*, where his delivery was cited as a pivotal moment for legitimizing drill music on national television. While some anecdotes of fans fainting or events being disrupted are embellished folklore, the genuine emotional outpouring following his murder and the viral spread of his track "Dior" remain verified historical facts that shaped his enduring influence. Despite this massive cultural footprint, iFANN has evaluated Pop Smoke without assigning him a placement in its published rankings; he currently holds no position within the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list maintained by the iFANN Global Fame Engine.[edit]

Born Bashar Barakah Jackson, Pop Smoke adopted his stage name from his father's nickname, "Papa Smoke." Before his musical career took flight, he was a talented basketball player who competed for the AAU team New York Lightning. His debut mixtape, *Meet the Woo*, was recorded in a single day, establishing the sonic blueprint for Brooklyn drill by blending UK minimalism with local hip-hop energy. His song "Dior" served as an anthem during the 2020 George Floyd protests, while his signature ad-lib "Woo" evolved into a rallying cry for his audience. Beyond these documented facts, a persistent legend surrounds his January 2020 performance on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*, where critics noted his raw energy legitimized the genre on national television. Another widely retold story involves the immediate viral explosion of "Dior" on SoundCloud and TikTok, transforming him from a local artist into an international star overnight. Fans also frequently recount how his concerts became so chaotic due to the volume of the crowd chanting "Woo" that security had to intervene, a narrative that amplifies his larger-than-life stage presence.[edit]

Pop Smoke was raised by his mother, Audrey Jackson, after his father, a Jamaican immigrant, left the family when Bashar was a child. He had an older brother, Obasi Jackson, and a younger sister. His family was deeply affected by his death, and his mother Audrey now manages his estate under Pop Smoke LLC. He was not married and had no children.[edit]

Pop Smoke was closely associated with producer Rico Beats, who discovered him and connected him with Steven Victor. Victor signed him to Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. 50 Cent executive produced his posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. UK drill producer 808Melo produced his breakout hits 'Welcome to the Party' and 'Dior.' He frequently collaborated with Quavo, DaBaby, Lil Baby, and Rowdy Rebel.[edit]

Pop Smoke's public romantic history is limited and was not a major focus of his brief career. No long-term partners or engagements are documented. The most notable reported relationship was a brief, high-profile rumor regarding a romantic link with rapper and actress Yung Miami (Caresha Brownlee), but this was never confirmed by either party. As of 2026, Pop Smoke is deceased, so his relationship status is not applicable. He had no known children.[edit]

Tributes poured in from peers, institutions, and officials across the music industry immediately following the loss of Pop Smoke, while fan vigils and gatherings were held in Brooklyn and other cities to honor the rising star whose career was cut short. The community response highlighted his status as the face of Brooklyn drill through moments of silence and the creation of memorial murals. On February 19, 2020, early in the morning on a Wednesday, he was found with fatal gunshot wounds at a home located in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, during a home-invasion robbery where armed men entered the residence demanding jewelry and drugs before shooting him multiple times.

Official confirmation from law enforcement authorities stated he had sustained fatal gunshot wounds, though specific hospital statements confirming the exact time of death were not detailed beyond the initial police report. The investigation led to multiple arrests and convictions, with Corey Walker and Keandre Rodgers charged with murder with special circumstance allegations facing potential death penalty charges for their roles in the killing. Public reaction included a significant surge in streaming and sales of his music, particularly his posthumous album Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon, which became a commercial phenomenon. Regarding funeral arrangements, specific dates and locations for a public funeral were not detailed, but the Shoot for the Stars Foundation organizes annual events in his memory.

Notably, Pop Smoke Day returned to Canarsie Park in Brooklyn on July 20, 2026, featuring a free community festival, parade, and Fashion Gala at the Brooklyn Museum. Posthumously, his debut studio album Meet the Woo and his second posthumous album achieved massive chart success, with the latter debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. Several films, books, and awards have been dedicated to his memory, and the estate is managed through the Shoot for the Stars Foundation, which oversees posthumous releases, charitable initiatives, and legal actions against his killers.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, the estate of the late rapper Pop Smoke is estimated to be worth $5 Million as of 2026. This valuation reflects the ongoing commercial viability of his catalog rather than active business ventures. Primary revenue streams include posthumous music sales, streaming royalties, and merchandise, driven significantly by the albums *Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon* and *Faith*. Licensing agreements for his music in films, television, and video games further contribute to the estate's value. The assets are managed by his mother, Audrey Jackson, under the entity Pop Smoke LLC. There are no known major real estate holdings or external business investments beyond his music rights.[edit]

Pop Smoke won several major awards, all posthumously. He won Best New Artist at the 2021 BET Awards. At the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, he won Top Rap Artist, Top New Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Rap Album for Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, and Top Billboard 200 Album for the same album. He also won Hip-Hop Album of the Year at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards.[edit]