The up-and-coming rapper and leader in the Brooklyn drill movement, Bashar Jackson a.k.a Pop Smoke, was killed Wednesday morning, his record label confirmed to the New York Times.
What We Know:
- The rapper was in a Hollywood Hills home owned by Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave and her husband. At around 4:30 a.m., an unknown number of men reportedly wearing masks and hoodies broke into the house.
- The men reportedly shot Pop Smoke. He was then rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he unfortunately passed away a few hours later, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
- As of February 19th, the suspects have still not been detained or identified. It’s unclear up to this point if Pop Smoke knew who these men were. He was only 20 years old.
- Executive vice-president of Republic Records stated “We are devastated by the unexpected and tragic loss of Pop Smoke,” and “Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans as we mourn this loss together.”
- Pop Smoke’s promising career was just blooming as “Welcome to the Party,” from his debut album Meet the Woo, achieved major success and was remixed twice with Nicki Minaj and grime artist Skepta.
- The Brooklyn native was one of the rappers leading the forefront of the Brooklyn drill movement, a new version of the Chicago and London drill styles that came before it.
Love from his collaborators, fans, and friends have flooded social media as of late.
