Pop Smoke

About

Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter born on July 20, 1999, in Brooklyn, New York. His breakout single, "Welcome to the Party," was released in 2019 and quickly gained traction, leading to remixes with artists like Nicki Minaj and Skepta. Pop Smoke's music was characterized by its fusion of UK drill production with aggressive lyrics about his experiences in Brooklyn. His career trajectory was suddenly halted when, at the age of 20, he was tragically killed in a home invasion in Los Angeles in February 2020. Despite his brief career, his posthumously-released debut studio album, "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon," became an international success and proved his significant influence in the music industry.

Associated With

Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, had quite a significant association with fellow members of the music industry until his untimely death in 2020. In terms of work collaboration, he had ties with numerous artists including Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, Quavo, Travis Scott, and Lil Tjay. He was majorly influenced by 50 Cent and the duo worked together, making New York rap a commercial force again. The youthful energy that he brought to his tracks made him a popular collaborator among many artists. In terms of acting, Pop Smoke made his posthumous acting debut in the film "Boogie" where he played the role of Mony. As for dating, he was quite private about his personal relationships, therefore, concrete details about his romantic liaisons remain scarce. Throughout his career, Pop Smoke had a profound impact on the music industry, making his loss deeply felt.

Career Highlights

• 2018: Pop Smoke began his music career with the release of his debut single "MPR (Money, Power, Respect)".
• 2019: Pop Smoke gained mainstream recognition with his breakout single "Welcome to the Party" from his debut mixtape "Meet the Woo". He was named as one of the rappers to watch in 2019 by several publications.
• 2020: He released his second mixtape "Meet the Woo 2", debuting at number 7 on the Billboard 200.
• 2020: His first studio album "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon" was posthumously released and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with all 19 tracks from the album charting on the Billboard Hot 100.
• 2020: He posthumously received Billboard Music Award nominations for Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Artist, and Top Rap Album.
• 2021: At the American Music Awards, Pop Smoke posthumously won Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album for "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon".
• 2021: He posthumously received a nomination at the Grammys for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for "Dior".
• 2021: He also posthumously won Top Billboard 200 Album at the Billboard Music Awards.
• 2021: Pop Smoke was posthumously honored at the BET Awards with the award for Best New Hip Hop Artist.
• 2021: His second posthumous album "Faith" was released and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
• 2022: He posthumously won the International Male Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards. The song "Dior" received a Platinum certification by the RIAA.

Notable Awards

• At the time of his untimely death in February 2020, Pop Smoke was just beginning to make his mark in the music industry. However, posthumously, his work has been recognized and honored with several awards. Here are a few:
• "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon", Pop Smoke's posthumous debut studio album, reached number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
• Billboard Music Awards 2021: He won five awards including Top New Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album (for "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon"), and Top Rap Album (for "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon").
• American Music Awards 2020: His album "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon" won for Favorite Album - Rap/Hip-Hop.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Pop Smoke Song/Album?

Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson, is a prominent figure in the world of rap music. The most popular work of his career is arguably his posthumously-released album, "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon." The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's 200 chart and claimed the biggest posthumous debut in over 20 years. Its lead single, "For the Night" featuring Lil Baby and DaBaby, became an international sensation, reaching top ten in several countries and peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Overall, the impact and popularity of "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon" have cemented Pop Smoke's place in the annals of hip hop history.

How Did Pop Smoke Get Famous?

Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, gained fame in the music industry through his distinct voice and drill-style rap music. His breakthrough occurred in 2019 when he released his debut single "Welcome to the Party," which was part of his mixtape "Meet the Woo." The song went viral and attracted several remix versions by famous artists like Nicki Minaj. His unique sound, authentic storytelling, and seamless blend of UK drill and New York hip-hop catapulted him to stardom. His sudden rise in the music industry made him one of the key figures in Brooklyn's drill music scene.