Pop Smoke: A Tragic End Foretold on Social Media
Pop Smoke, a rising star in the rap industry, was tragically murdered during a home invasion in Los Angeles on February 19, 2020. This story explores the events leading up to the crime, highlighting the role social media played in making him vulnerable, while also detailing his early life and musical achievements.
From Canarsie to Brooklyn Drill King
Born Bashar Barakah Jackson in 1999, Pop Smoke’s life began in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Details about his early life are private, but his passion for music emerged early. He adopted the name Pop Smoke, a combination of a nickname from childhood friends and a name given to him by his Panamanian grandmother. Although basketball initially held his focus, a heart murmur forced him to shift gears. This redirection led him to hone his rapping skills, and by 2018, he began releasing music.
Musical Rise: “Welcome to the Party” and Beyond
Pop Smoke‘s signature sound blended elements of East Coast hip-hop with Brooklyn drill, a subgenre known for its dark and menacing atmosphere. His breakout hit, “Welcome to the Party,” released in April 2019, establi
A Day Documented: From Arrival to Airbnb Pop Smoke’s journey is chillingly documented through his Instagram stories. He landed in California on February 18th, showcasing his rented Airbnb in Beverly Hills. Throughout the day, seemingly harmless posts depicted haircuts, poolside relaxation, and shopping sprees. The Fatal Posts: Location and Wealth Exposed The turning point came with a post by his friend, Mike D. A picture displayed Pop Smoke holding a wad of cash, with the background revealing a near-complete address. Further compounding the issue, Mike geotagged the location. This information, coupled with later posts showcasing more cash and a diamond-encrusted Rolex, presented both a location and a motive for potential criminals. Unwitting Vulnerability: Shopping Bags Reveal Too Much Pop Smoke continued documenting his shopping experiences. Unfortunately, a video displayed Amiri shopping bags with tags revealing the full Airbnb address. This final misstep left him completely exposed. Predatory Eyes: Opportunity Recognized Two teenagers from a notorious LA gang noticed Pop Smoke’s location through his stories. Cell phone records confirmed their activity, including scouting the address around midnight. They recruited two more teenagers, and a plan was formed. A Night of Deadly Decisions While Pop Smoke recorded music, the teens returned to the Airbnb. They switched vehicles and used Zillow to gain a better understanding of the layout. Around 4:30 AM, they snuck into the house through the balcony. A Brutal Encounter and Tragic Loss The home invasion unfolded violently. Pop Smoke was confronted in the shower, robbed, and ultimately shot when he attempted to fight back. Despite being ruPop Smoke was signed to two record labels:
Some of Pop Smoke’s biggest hits include:
