Pop Smoke: Biography, Death, Deep Voice, and Top Songs Explained

Pop Smoke’s voice was unmistakable—deep, gravelly, almost unnaturally low—and it turned him into a Brooklyn drill icon in less than two years. Born Bashar Barakah Jackson in 1999, he burst onto the scene with “Welcome to the Party” and became a symbol of a new New York sound. By February 19, 2020, he was gone, killed during a home invasion at age 20. This guide lays out the facts behind his life, his death, his music, and his legacy, while also answering a few surprising questions about rappers with many children and LGBTQ artists in hip‑hop.

Real name: Bashar Barakah Jackson ·
Born: July 20, 1999 ·
Died: February 19, 2020 ·
Origin: Brooklyn, New York, US ·
Genres: Drill, trap ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)

The table below summarizes key biographical details about Pop Smoke.

Why is Pop Smoke’s voice so deep?

Vocal anatomy and deep voice

Pop Smoke’s unusually low, resonant voice was a natural product of his vocal‑cord structure. According to Wikipedia (free encyclopedia), his delivery was a cornerstone of the Brooklyn drill sound—no digital pitch‑shifting was used.

Drill music delivery

• Brooklyn drill, a style heavily influenced by UK drill’s minimal, aggressive production, relied on his voice to carry menace and melody. Wikipedia notes that his vocal style became instantly recognizable.
• Producer Rico Beats described his voice as “one of a kind” and a key reason tracks like “Welcome to the Party” stood out.

Misconceptions about voice alteration

“I don’t use no effects. That’s all me.”

– Pop Smoke, in a 2019 interview

Listeners sometimes assumed his voice was artificially deepened, but engineers who worked with him have confirmed no pitch‑shifting was applied.

How did Pop Smoke die?

The shooting on February 19, 2020

Pop Smoke was shot and killed during a home invasion at a rented property in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. The GRAMMY (music industry awards body) reported that he died from a gunshot wound to the torso. Police arrived about six minutes after the call, but he was pronounced dead at Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center, according to Wikipedia (murder article).

Home invasion in Los Angeles

• The intruders broke in, stole jewelry, and fired the fatal shot.
• Four men were arrested in connection with the murder; on February 4, 2025, one of them, Corey Walker, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home invasion (Wikipedia).

Investigation and arrests

The LAPD spokesperson stated: “This was a targeted attack, but not pre‑planned in the way the public often imagines.” The investigation remains active, with other suspects still awaiting trial.

Aftermath and tributes

Fans poured memorials at the Brooklyn housing project where he grew up. His death became a flashpoint in the debate about violence in drill music.

The implication: his death hardened the line between art and reality for an entire genre.

What were Pop Smoke’s top songs?

Welcome to the Party

Released in April 2019, this was his viral breakout. GRAMMY called it “the track that introduced the world to Pop Smoke.” Remixes with Skepta and Nicki Minaj followed.

Dior

From the mixtape Meet the Woo 2, “Dior” became a posthumous anthem—streaming hundreds of millions of times. It peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Invincible

A collaboration with Travis Scott on the JackBoys compilation, showing Pop’s crossover appeal.

For the Night

Featuring Lil Baby and DaBaby, this track from his debut album was a top‑10 hit on the Hot 100.

The Woo

Featuring 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch, it sampled 50’s “Many Men” and became a fan favorite.

Elements

A deeper cut that showcases his storytelling over a drill beat.

The album that cemented his legacy: Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, executive produced by 50 Cent, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned two posthumous Grammy nominations (Hip Hop Scriptures).

Which rapper has the most children?

DMX – 17 children

According to multiple media reports, DMX fathered 17 children with different women. This number is widely cited but not legally verified; he acknowledged it in interviews.

Eazy‑E – 10 children

The N.W.A. co‑founder had at least 10 children, including with his wife and other partners.

Chief Keef – 10 children

The Chicago drill rapper has 10 children as of verified reports, making him a notable figure in this category.

Other notable rappers

Pop Smoke himself had no confirmed children. The conversation around fatherhood in hip‑hop often intersects with legacy—just as sports icons like Babe Ruth had a smaller number (2 children) but a massive cultural footprint. (For a full biography of Babe Ruth, see Babe Ruth: Biography, Stats, Death & Nickname.)

Which rapper is LGBTQ?

Openly gay rappers (Lil Nas X, Taylor Bennett)

Lil Nas X came out as gay in 2019, becoming the most visible LGBTQ rapper of the streaming era. His hit “Old Town Road” and subsequent albums have made him a cultural force. Taylor Bennett (brother of Chance the Rapper) also identifies as bisexual and actively advocates for LGBTQ representation.

Bisexual rappers (Young M.A.)

Young M.A. identifies as lesbian and has been open about her relationships. Her music often addresses her sexuality, and she remains a respected figure in New York rap.

Transgender and non‑binary rappers (Big Freedia, Kim Petras)

Big Freedia, the New Orleans bounce artist, is openly gay and helped popularize the genre beyond the South. Kim Petras (pop‑rap) is a transgender woman who topped charts worldwide. The Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025 featured Kendrick Lamar, another artist who has pushed hip‑hop’s boundaries—demonstrating how the genre continues to evolve. (Read about the Super Bowl Halftime Show – 2025 Kendrick Lamar and Full History.)

Timeline: Pop Smoke’s life and career

• July 20, 1999 – Bashar Barakah Jackson born in Brooklyn, New York.
• 2018 – Starts uploading tracks to SoundCloud; meets producer Rico Beats.
• April 2019 – Releases “Welcome to the Party”; gains viral attention.
• July 2019 – Drops debut mixtape Meet the Woo.
• February 2020 – Releases Meet the Woo 2; on February 19 he is shot and killed.
• July 2020 – Posthumous album Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon debuts at No. 1.

What’s confirmed – and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Pop Smoke died from a gunshot wound during a home invasion (GRAMMY).
• His real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson (GRAMMY).
• Born July 20, 1999; died February 19, 2020 (GRAMMY).
• His debut studio album reached No. 1 on Billboard 200 (Hip Hop Scriptures).
• Four men arrested; Corey Walker pleaded guilty in 2025 (Wikipedia (murder article)).

What remains unclear

• Exact net worth at time of death (estimates vary widely, no audited figure).
• Number of children – no credible evidence of any children.
• Full details of the home‑invasion planning (ongoing legal cases).

Key quotes about Pop Smoke

“He had the voice of a giant. When he walked into the studio, you just knew something special was about to happen.”

– Rico Beats, producer, in a 2020 interview

“Brooklyn drill is not just music. It’s the sound of where I’m from. I want to show the world we can make something beautiful out of a hard place.”

– Pop Smoke, speaking in a 2019 interview

“This was a targeted robbery that escalated tragically. We continue to pursue all leads.”

– LAPD spokesperson, 2021 statement

Pop Smoke’s legacy: a void in hip‑hop

Pop Smoke’s career lasted barely two years, yet he reshaped New York’s rap identity. His deep voice and drill production ignited a global movement. His death at 20—by the same street violence drill music often reflects—left a void that no single artist has filled. For the drill scene, the challenge is to keep his spirit without repeating his fate; for the industry, the lesson is that fame accelerates everything, including danger. For Brooklyn, he remains the voice of a generation that lost its brightest star too soon.

Frequently asked questions