Bashar Barakah Jackson, professionally known as Pop Smoke, was a talented American rapper hailing from Brooklyn, New York City. His musical journey began to soar in 2019 with the release of hit singles like “Welcome to the Party” and “Dior.” Pop Smoke’s unique style attracted attention as he frequently collaborated with UK drill artists, infusing his music with a distinct blend of minimalistic and aggressive beats, reshaping the Brooklyn drill sound. In April 2019, record producer Rico Beats brought Pop Smoke to Steven Victor, leading to a recording contract with Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. The debut mixtape, Meet the Woo, dropped in July 2019, followed by the successful Meet the Woo 2 in February 2020, which secured a top-10 rank on the Billboard 200 chart.
Tragically, just twelve days after the release of Meet the Woo 2, Pop Smoke’s life was cut short in a tragic home invasion in Los Angeles. His legacy, however, continued with the posthumous release of his debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, in July 2020. Executive produced by 50 Cent, the album soared to the number one spot on the Billboard 200, with all 19 tracks making their mark on the Billboard Hot 100. The album featured chart-topping singles like “For the Night” with DaBaby and Lil Baby, and “What You Know Bout Love.” A year later, in July 2021, Republic Records paid tribute to Pop Smoke by releasing his second studio album, Faith, keeping his music alive in the hearts of fans worldwide.