POP SMOKE
Bashar Barakah Jackson (July 20, 1999 – February 19, 2020), known professionally as Pop Smoke, was an American rapper and songwriter. He was signed to Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. In April 2019, he released the song "Welcome to the Party", the lead single of his debut mixtape Meet the Woo, which was released in July 2019. "Welcome to the Party" was made into two remixes featuring Nicki Minaj and Skepta in August 2019.
In October 2019, he featured American rapper Lil Tjay on his single "War". In December 2019, he featured American rapper Calboy on his single "100k on a Coupe" and also collaborated with American rapper Travis Scott a few weeks later on the song "Gatti", from Scott and his Cactus Jack members' compilation album, JackBoys (2019). "Gatti" became his first Billboard Hot 100 charting song, peaking at 69, a week after the release of JackBoys. In February 2020, he released his second mixtape Meet the Woo 2, containing features from Quavo, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Fivio Foreign, and Lil Tjay. His posthumous debut album is expected in May 2020.
Pop Smoke died on February 19, 2020, after being shot twice during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills, California. According to authorities, four hooded men entered the home at about 4:30 AM on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, one of them wearing a ski mask and carrying a handgun. Police received news of the home invasion from someone calling from the East Coast. Police arrived at the home six minutes later and found Pop Smoke with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. On February 21, 2020, The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner revealed that the cause of Pop Smoke’s death was a gunshot wound to the torso. Four suspects fled the scene but have not been apprehended. He was interred at Green-Wood Cemetery.
