Introducing Pop Smoke

Just when you think hip-hop music has settled down into the whispered musings of now in the money, ex-street poets, a new sound comes along and it is regenerating the genre. It is called the Drill Movement and was created by rappers from London and Chicago. The danceable beat comes with a dark message that is usually fatalistic and is about how material things do end up as nothing. Its leading progenitor is a kid who called himself Pop Smoke.

In contrast to most rap sounds today, Pop Smoke’s style is harsh and grating. It is Drill but he laced it with old school Brooklyn mix. The combination works very well and is literally taking the world by storm. Take a look at the hit charts and his recordings are up there on top.  Why even the newscasts have found reason to use his music. If you had been watching the news coverage of the recent spate of riots related to racial injustice in the U.S. of A., chances are you must have heard the sound of Pop Smoke.

Unfortunately, Pop Smoke is not around anymore to see the impact that his music is creating. He was shot to death last Feb. 19, during a home invasion in the mansion in Los Angeles where he was staying. Arrests have been made regarding the crime. The four perpetrators now charged with murder are 15 to 19 years old. Pop Smoke was only 20 years old and had become the latest victim of the curse of rap music. Remember Juice WRLD, XXXTentacion, Nipsey Hussle, Mac Miller and others? They were all rappers who recently died young while on top of their game.

Pop Smoke was born Bashar Barakah Jackson in Brooklyn, New York. He was mostly out of school and was even involved with drug-dealing. But he was saved by his music and showed great promise as a singer, rapper and composer at a very young age. The big names instantly took interest in his work. 50 Cent produced his first album and included are collaborations with big names like Quavo, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Roddy Ricch and others.

Pop Smoke was active for only 14 months but he certainly left behind a No. 1 selling album, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, and hit singles like For the Night, Mood Swings, Welcome to the Party, Shake the Room and The Woo. Listen and make sure you also watch the videos. How Pop Smoke expressed his love for materialism through the cash, the luxury cars, branded wardrobe, big ostentatious bling and hooded posse he appeared with in those films is quite a waker-upper. They all now add up to nothing.

Last week’s top selling 20 singles in the Billboard Hot 100 are Cardigan by Taylor Swift; Rockstar by DaBaby and Roddy Ricch; What’s Poppin’ by Jack Harlow featuring DaBaby, Tony lanez & Lil Wayne; The I by Taylor Swift; Blinding Lights by The Weeknd; Exile also by Swift with Bon Iver; Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles; Roses by SAINt JHN; Savage by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce; Savage Love (Laxed-Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 X Jason Derulo.

Blueberry Faygo by Lil Mosey; The Crazy by Chris Brown & Young Thug; The Last American Dynasty by Taylor Swift; Popstar by DJ Khaled featuring Drake; Adore You by Harry Styles; My Tears Ricochet again by chart queen Taylor; Come and Go by Juice WRLD X Marshmello; I Hope by Gabby Bennett; Break My Heart by Dua Lipa; Circles by Post Malone.

For The Night by Pop Smoke featuring Lil Baby and DaBaby; Say So by Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj; Intentions by Justin Bieber featuring Quavo.

The Top 20 albums are Folklore by Taylor Swift; No Pressure by Logic; Legends Never Die by Juice WRLD; Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon by Pop Smoke; Hamilton: An American Musical by the original Broadway Cast; Wunna by Gunna; My Turn by Lil Baby; F*ck Love by The LAROI; Hollywood is Bleeding by Post Malone; Fine Line by Harry Styles.

Blame It On Baby by DaBaby; Chilombo by Jhene Aiko; After Hours by The Weeknd; The GOAT by Polo G; Eternal Atake by Lil Uzi Vert; Just Cause Y’all Wanted To by Lil Durk; Gaslighters by The Chicks; Lover by Taylor Swift; What You See is What You Get by Luke Combs; High Off Life by Future.