Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we profile the life and career of Bashar Barakah Jackson, better known as Pop Smoke, the artist credited with reintroducing the drill sound to New York City. We explore his origins in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where he was born to Jamaican and Panamanian parents, and his rapid ascent to fame following the 2019 release of his breakout singles "Welcome to the Party" and "Dior". We discuss his collaboration with UK producers to craft the aggressive instrumentation of Brooklyn drill and his major recording deal with Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records.

The episode also details the legal challenges he faced, including a federal arrest involving a stolen Rolls-Royce and police pressure to provide information on local street gangs. We cover the tragic details of his murder at age 20 during a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills, as well as the recent sentencing of the individuals responsible. Finally, we examine his monumental posthumous success, highlighted by his debut studio album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, which was executive produced by 50 Cent and debuted atop the Billboard 200.