Peter Sblendorio
New York Daily News
The death of rising rapper Pop Smoke rocked the hip hop and entertainment world.
The up-and-coming artist from Brooklyn, who rose to rapid fame in 2019 behind the hit song “Welcome to the Party,” was shot and killed in Hollywood Hills, Calif., early Wednesday morning, according to multiple outlets, including TMZ.
He was 20.
Los Angeles police confirmed a 20-year-old black male was fatally shot at a house in Hollywood Hills early Wednesday but have not announced his identity. The suspects and a motive remain unclear.
Nicki Minaj, who performed on a remix of “Welcome to the Party,” is among the people who mourned Pop Smoke following news of his death.
“The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave,” Minaj wrote in an Instagram post. “Unbelievable. Rest In Peace, Pop.”
Chance the Rapper also paid tribute.
“Rest Up Pop Smoke, you were too young,” he tweeted. “God Bless and comfort your family. What a crazy trajectory you were on man smh.”
Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, released his first mixtape, “Meet the Woo,” last year, and his second, “Meet the Woo Vol. 2,” earlier this month.
“R.I.P to my man Pop Smoke, No sympathy for winners,” rapper 50 Cent wrote. “God bless him.”
The singer Kehlani, meanwhile, tweeted, “rest up pop smoke!! 20 years old, hella sweet FREAKISHLY talented. s–t sick out here. prayers to his family forreal.”
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