Rapper Pop Smoke shot dead

An up-and-coming rapper known as Pop Smoke was fatally shot during a break-in early yesterday at a Hollywood Hills home, his label said.

“We are devastated by the unexpected and tragic loss of Pop Smoke,” Republic Records said in a statement. “Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans, as we mourn this loss together.”.

The house where he was shot was owned by Edwin Arroyave and his wife, Teddi Mellencamp, daughter of singer John Mellencamp and star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Several people who were in the house were detained and then released, Los Angeles police captain Steve Lurie said.

“We’re just getting started in this investigation,” he said.

Pop Smoke’s legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson. He was 20.

Chance The Rapper said in a tweet: “Rest Up Pop Smoke, you were too young. God Bless and comfort your family.”

From Brooklyn, New York, Pop Smoke came on to the rap scene in 2018 and broke out last spring with Welcome to the Party a gangsta anthem where he brags about shootings, killings and drugs. It was a huge sensation that even drew the attention of Nicki Minaj, who dropped her own verse on a successful remix of the song.

Earlier this month he released the album Meet the Woo2, which debuted at No 7 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart. He also had the popular hit Gatti with Travis Scott and Jackboys and Dior.

In an interview that ran on Rolling Stone’s website last week, Pop Smoke said that he used a freestyle lyrical method.

“I never wrote (down) anything,” he told Rolling Stone. “It’s all up my head. Everything that I be writing, everything that I be saying, when it comes to these types of songs, just be so natural. Just how I be feeling. However, some songs I do write, and you’ll know the ones that I write, ’cause you’ll feel it.”