Pop Smoke was already one of hip-hop’s most promising artists when he died in 2020. His star continued to rise following his death, with the Brooklyn drill rapper releasing two posthumous Billboard 200 number-one albums.
But how did Pop Smoke pass away? In this post, we’ll look at how he died, who was to blame, what happened to them, and what made him such a great artist.
Authorities say Pop Smoke was staying at an Airbnb home in Hollywood Hills, California on February 19, 2020. While the rapper was in the shower, a group of hooded guys burst into the residence through the second-story balcony at about 4:30 a.m.
Pop Smoke was hosting a woman named Amelia Rose at the time. The group confronted her, and a man in a ski mask threatened to kill her with a weapon.
Soon after, Ms. Rose overheard the men arguing with Pop Smoke and then shooting him three times.
Following a call from the east coast, the LAPD arrived in six minutes and took Pop Smoke to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Doctors conducted a thoracotomy on his chest, but the young actor died within hours.
The coroner later determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the torso.
Pop Smoke shared a picture of a package on Instagram with the property’s address in the 24 hours preceding the attack, which appears to have tipped the attackers off to his whereabouts.
Pop Smoke’s Funeral
Pop Smoke’s funeral was as big as the man himself. Thousands of Brooklyn residents lined the streets on March 5, 2020, to bid the hip-hop legend farewell.
His funeral procession passed through the Canarsie neighborhood, with a pair of white horses pulling his hearse, where his casket was viewable through the glass.
Pop Smoke’s pal 50 Cent lent his bespoke Versace Lamborghini to appear in the parade with the top down, however, he wasn’t behind the wheel himself.
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Barricades were built up to regulate fans throughout the event, and the LAPD was present to ensure security. Fans blasted his songs and opened champagne corks to celebrate him as he passed. Pop Smoke was later laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends.
The family’s sad occasion was ruined when photographs of Pop Smoke’s body laying in state were uploaded on social media.