Rapper Pop Smoke was shot and killed yesterday morning (February 19th) during a home invasion in Los Angeles. According to TMZ, the rapper was at a home in the Hollywood Hills. At around 4:30 am, two men wearing hoodies and masks broke into the house and fired multiple shots at the rapper. They later fled on foot. Other reports say that it was actually four gunmen that broke into the house.
Pop Smoke was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood where he was pronounced dead.
As of press time, the suspects have not been caught or identified. At the time of the shooting, one man was placed in handcuffs but cops determined that he was not involved and was released.
Reports say that the police received the 911 call from someone on the East Coast at the time of the shooting.
Pop Smoke, born Bashar Jackson, was only 20 years old.
MORE DETAILS
Law enforcement sources say that there was a party or gathering at the house prior to the shooting. The home that the rapper was renting is owed by Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp. Mellencamp released a statement, saying, “Foremost, we would like to extend our prayers and condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic loss of life. We aren’t aware of any of the details beyond what we’ve been told or seen reported on the news and at this time we would like to refrain from commenting further as we wish for the focus to remain on the law enforcement officers who are diligently doing their jobs.”
Meanwhile, Pop and his friend accidently posted the address of the home earlier in the day. He was showing off gift bags he received and one of them had the home's address on it. He and his friend was also showing off stacks of money in the driveway of the home where he was shot.
POP SMOKE'S BROTHER SPEAKS
Pop Smoke's brother Mike Dee spoke out on Instagram after people speculated that he had him set up. Dee wrote on Instagram, “CANT NOTHING EXPRESS THE PAIN IM FEELING ….I JUST LOST MY F*CKING BROTHER, MY HEART MY DAWGZ💙YOU GUYS HAVE NO TYPE OF SENSE OR SYMPATHY ! YALL DONT KNO WHATS GOING ON YALL COME ON HERE PLAYING INVESTIGATOR AND BASHING ME ON THE INTERNET, I WOULD NEVER IN MY LIFE SET MY BROTHER UP, WE ATE TOGETHER , BROKE BREAD TOGETHER THIS REALLY MY MOTHER CHILD I DONT GOTTA EXPLAIN NOTHING TO NOBODY THAT DONT KNO ME BUT FOR THE ONES WHO KNOW ME KNOW WHEN YOU SAW ME YOU SAW POP 💯WE LIVE IN SUCH A F*CKED UP SOCIETY YALL GOTTA WAKE UP💡 JUST KNO I GOT YOU FOREVER BROTHER THE TRUTH WILL COME TO LIGHT UNTIL THEN SLEEP IN PEACE 😔😔😔…”
BLUEFACE WARNS ARTISTS ABOUT TRAVELING TO CALIFORNIA
Celebrities took to social media to react to Pop Smoke's death. Cali rapper Blueface warned artists about traveling to California, saying “People think Cali/LA is beautiful sunny palm trees, n****s die here every single day I recommend artists coming this way get in touch with the right natives just to keep you up on speed soon as you relax an think it's cool this way that's when they strike.”
He continued, “A young immature dumb nygga might take what I said as 'checking in' and if you do tappin wit a nygga that shows any sign of power or misconception cuz you hit him when you in the land then that is the WRONG native. RIP Pop Smoke.”
MORE CELEBRITY REACTIONS
Nicki Minaj: “”The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave. Unbelievable. Rest In Peace, Pop.”
50 Cent: “R.I.P to my man Pop Smoke, No sympathy for winners. 🕊God bless him.”
The Game: “Fell asleep for 3 hours, woke up & Pop Smoke dead. That’s brazy…. 20 years old, damn.”
Chance The Rapper: “Rest Up Pop Smoke, you were too young. God Bless and comfort your family. What a crazy trajectory you were on man smh 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.”
Kehlani: “rest up pop smoke!! 20 years old, hella sweet FREAKISHLY talented. sh*t sick out here. prayers to his family forreal.”
Quest Love: “Jesus Christ…..Pop Smoke is gone?! Wtf!!!?”
Snoop Dogg: “R. I. P. Lil homie. ✨🎤💙🙏🏽 damn I’m hurt all ova again 💫✨🌟 Gone2soon🌹💙.”
YG: “Smh, gang gang in peace homie @realpopsmoke You was jus getting started! ❤💙❤💙❤💙.”
Quavo: “F L Y H I G H W O O 🕊@realpopsmoke Got To Kno This Kid! Very Talented Humble Respectful And Appreciative Always Ask Questions Big Sponge To Knowledge Fast Learning Young Boss And The Huncho Was Here To Share That Anytime You Called Me! R.I.P 🙏🏾💫#MEETTHEWOO.”
BIO
Pop Smoke was born Bashar Jackson in Brooklyn, New York on July 20th, 1999. He started his music career in 2018 after hanging around other recording artists during their studio sessions. He started remixing popular songs before making his own original songs. His artist name Pop Smoke is a combination of Papa, a nickname given to him by his Panamanian grandmother) and Smoke Oh Guap, a nickname given to him by childhood friends.
Pop released his hit “Welcome to the Party” off of his debut mixtape Meet the Woo. Nicki Minaj hopped on the remix of the song. He also did a song called “Gatti” with Travis Scott.
Pop Smoke just released his second mixtape Meet the Woo 2. The tape hit #7 on the Billboard 200 chart this week.