Pop Smoke: The Voice of Brooklyn Drill

Pop Smoke was an American rapper and songwriter who emerged from Brooklyn, New York, to become a defining voice of the drill music scene. His deep, gravelly voice and menacing production, showcased on hits like Welcome to the Party and Dior, propelled him to rapid fame and a posthumous chart-topping album.

Early Career

Born Bashar Barakah Jackson in 1999, Pop Smoke began his music career in 2018. He quickly connected with UK producer 808Melo, whose distinctive, minimalist beats became the foundation for the Brooklyn drill sound Pop Smoke would popularize.

Breakthrough

Pop Smoke's breakthrough arrived in 2019 with the release of his single Welcome to the Party. The track became an instant street anthem, leading to a deal with Victor Victor Worldwide and Republic Records. His debut mixtape, Meet the Woo, released in July 2019, solidified his status with its raw energy and viral success.

Key Tracks

Welcome to the Party - This 2019 single served as his explosive introduction, defining the Brooklyn drill sound and becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Dior - The standout track from his second mixtape became his signature song, noted for its iconic ad-libs and relentless flow.

Christopher Walking - This track from his debut mixtape further demonstrated his commanding presence and unique vocal delivery over aggressive production.

GATTI (with Travis Scott) - A posthumous collaboration that highlighted his crossover appeal and the high-profile features on his final album.

He followed his debut with Meet the Woo 2 in February 2020, which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Tragically, Pop Smoke was killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles in February 2020, cutting short a rapidly ascending career.

His posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, was released in July 2020. Executive produced by 50 Cent, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured collaborations with artists like Lil Baby, DaBaby, and Future. The project showcased his versatility, blending drill with melodic, commercial rap and R&B.

Fans of Pop Smoke's gritty New York drill style may also appreciate the work of Fivio Foreign, another key figure in the Brooklyn drill movement. The UK roots of the sound can be traced to Headie One, who helped pioneer the genre in London. For similar raw energy and street narratives, listeners might explore Sheff G, a fellow Brooklyn rapper from the same scene.