Bashar Barakah Jackson, known worldwide as Pop Smoke, passed away on February 19, 2020. His death year marked a profound turning point for modern hip hop, cutting short the career of the undisputed pioneer of Brooklyn drill music. Though he was only 20 years old when his life was tragically ended during a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills, his sonic blueprint permanently altered the trajectory of rap music in the United States and globally.
Understanding the weight of Pop Smoke's death year requires looking past the immediate shock of his passing. It means examining how a teenager from Canarsie, Brooklyn, went from recording his first tracks in late 2018 to spearheading an international movement in under two years.
The Meteoric Rise of Brooklyn Drill
Before 2019, American hip hop was heavily dominated by regional trap sounds, melodic Atlanta flows, and West Coast bounce. Pop Smoke changed that landscape by importing the heavy, menacing, and minimalist sliding-bass aesthetics of London drill music and fusing it with gritty New York storytelling.
Working closely with producers like 808Melo, he crafted a signature sound characterized by low-register gravelly vocals, aggressive delivery, and hypnotic percussion. His breakout single, "Welcome to the Party," dropped in April 2019 and instantly became a street anthem. It drew official remixes from Nicki Minaj and Skepta, cementing his crossover appeal.
By the time he released his commercial mixtapes, Meet the Woo and Meet the Woo 2—the latter of which dropped on February 7, 2020, just twelve days before his death—he wasn't just a local phenomenon. He was positioned as the undisputed leader of a new generation of New York rap.
The Tragic Events of February 19, 2020
The momentum of Meet the Woo 2 was abruptly shattered in the early hours of February 19, 2020. Pop Smoke was renting a home in the Hollywood Hills when a group of intruders broke into the property. What began as a targeted robbery quickly escalated into a fatal shooting.
He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where medical professionals pronounced him dead. The investigation revealed that the attackers tracked his location after details and addresses were inadvertently posted on social media. The tragedy sparked urgent conversations within the music industry regarding celebrity safety, digital footprint exposure, and the dangerous vulnerabilities of sharing real-time locations online.
Legal proceedings stretched across subsequent years as authorities apprehended multiple suspects involved in the incident. The pursuit of justice saw various legal milestones, including guilty pleas and sentencing phases for the individuals responsible for cutting his life and career short.
Posthumous Success and Lasting Cultural Impact
Pop Smoke's death year didn't silence his voice; instead, it catalyzed a massive wave of posthumous recognition. Executive produced by 50 Cent, his debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, was released in July 2020.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with all 19 tracks simultaneously charting on the Billboard Hot 100. Anthems like "Dior", "For the Night", and "What You Know Bout Love" dominated radio waves and streaming platforms for months. Critics and fans alike realized that Pop Smoke had recorded enough material and shaped enough stylistic ground to influence artists across genres, from pop to traditional R&B.
His second posthumous album, Faith, followed in July 2021, further proving his enduring commercial viability. Read more about his career milestones and discography on Billboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Pop Smoke when he died?
Pop Smoke was 20 years old when he passed away on February 19, 2020. He was born on July 20, 1999.
What was Pop Smoke's biggest hit song?
While "Welcome to the Party" launched his career, his solo track "Dior" became a massive global anthem and earned a posthumous Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance. Other major hits include "For the Night" featuring Lil Baby and DaBaby.
Who produced Pop Smoke's signature sound?
British and European producers—most notably 808Melo, Axl Beats, and Rico Beats—played a massive role in shaping his gritty drill sound by introducing him to UK-style sliding 808s.
What albums were released after his death?
Two major studio albums were released posthumously: Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (2020) and Faith (2021). Both debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.
