Brendan O’Boyle
Staff Writer
Tragedy has struck the music community as news spread that popular rapper Pop Smoke had been shot and killed during a home invasion. After the rapper returned to the house he was staying at in Hollywood, four men broke into his home, robbed him, and then shot the 20-year-old rapper. A police investigation is underway and they are trying to determine whether or not this was a random robbery or if the rapper was targeted.
Pop Smoke, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, was looked at as being at the forefront of New York City’s drill scene. His first song to blow up was called “Welcome to the Party” and was released in 2019. Since that song, he has collaborated with many popular artists like Travis Scott, Quavo, and Gunna.
He was always looked at as an innovator of his genre, and after his death many other celebrities and musicians shared their dismay about the incident. Quavo took to Instagram to share his thoughts. He said Popsmoke was always “very talented, humble, respectful, and appreciative.” 50 Cent also shared his thoughts on social media. He tweeted “R.I.P. to my man Pop Smoke. No sympathy for winners. God bless him.”
