When news hit on February 19, 2020 that 20-year-old Brooklyn drill rapper Pop Smoke had been killed in a Los Angeles home invasion, the music world was stunned. In the years since, his death has become a sprawling story of juvenile-court proceedings, multiple arrests, and public grief — especially from 50 Cent, who both mourned and helped finish his debut album.
Full name: Bashar Barakah Jackson ·
Stage name: Pop Smoke ·
Born: July 20, 1999 ·
Died: February 19, 2020 ·
Genre: Brooklyn drill ·
Breakout single: Welcome to the Party
Quick snapshot
- Pop Smoke died from gunshot wounds on Feb 19, 2020 (Los Angeles Times (California news outlet))
- Four people were charged; two faced death penalty (ABC News (national news))
- 50 Cent publicly mourned and produced the posthumous album (Rap-Up (music news))
- Pop Smoke’s exact last words are not officially confirmed (WordCurrent.uk (news analysis))
- Whether 50 Cent attended the funeral is not publicly confirmed (WordCurrent.uk (news analysis))
- Shooting occurred around 4 a.m. on Feb 19, 2020 (iHeartRadio (radio network))
- Arrests made by July 2020; plea entered April 2023 (Los Angeles Times)
- Case continues in California juvenile court system
- Posthumous releases and documentary projects ongoing
Six essential facts about Pop Smoke, one pattern: his life was brief but his influence and the legal aftermath are still unfolding.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bashar Barakah Jackson |
| Stage name | Pop Smoke |
| Birth date | July 20, 1999 |
| Death date | February 19, 2020 |
| Place of birth | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Place of death | Los Angeles, California, USA |
What were Pop Smoke’s last words before he died?
Reported last words
According to witness Amelia Rose, who was present at the Hollywood Hills home on the morning of the shooting, Pop Smoke said “OK, I will come back” before heading toward a restroom where the intruders confronted him. This account was provided in a 2022 interview and reported by iHeartRadio (radio network) and The Root (African-American news site).
The phrase “OK, I will come back” has not been entered into any court record as a verified last statement. It remains a witness recollection that has not been cross-examined in open court.
Context of the incident
The home invasion began around 4 a.m. when masked intruders entered the rented mansion. Pop Smoke was shot multiple times after a brief confrontation. The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed the robbery motive, with one defendant admitting he entered intending to steal cash and jewelry, as reported by Los Angeles Times (California news outlet).
No forensic audio or video from inside the house has been made public, so the reported last words could be challenged if new evidence emerges.
The pattern: the only account of Pop Smoke’s final moments comes from a single witness whose statement has not been tested in court.
What did 50 Cent say about Pop Smoke’s death?
50 Cent’s public tribute
On February 19, 2020, 50 Cent posted on social media: “R.I.P to my man Pop Smoke, No sympathy for winners. God bless him.” The post was among the first high-profile reactions and was widely shared. Rap-Up (music news outlet) covered the wave of tributes, highlighting 50 Cent’s message.
Documentary involvement
Days after the murder, 50 Cent vowed to executive-produce and finish Pop Smoke’s debut album. He told NME (music magazine) that Pop Smoke was “on his way” and deserved a proper release. He later worked with Steven Victor to deliver Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon in July 2020, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. In a statement to Complex (culture magazine), 50 Cent said Pop Smoke had told his mother he wanted to take her to an award show, and that the album would get her there.
50 Cent’s involvement transformed a posthumous project into a commercial success, cementing Pop Smoke’s legacy while also elevating 50 Cent’s role as a hip-hop elder.
The implication: 50 Cent’s actions turned grief into a business achievement that reshaped Pop Smoke’s legacy.
Was 50 Cent at Pop Smoke’s funeral?
Funeral attendance reports
No credible source has confirmed that 50 Cent attended Pop Smoke’s private funeral, which was held in late February 2020 in New York. News coverage from the time, including reports from Los Angeles Times and ABC News, focused on the criminal case rather than attendee lists.
Public statements
50 Cent did not post about attending the funeral on his social media, and no mainstream outlet listed him among attendees. He did send public condolences via Instagram, as noted by Rap-Up.
The implication: the absence of any credible report suggests 50 Cent either did not attend or chose not to publicize his presence. For now, it remains an unconfirmed detail.
Who was involved in Pop Smoke’s death?
Suspects arrested
By July 2020, four individuals had been charged in connection with the murder. The ABC News (national news) reported that two of the four faced the death penalty. In May 2021, the Los Angeles Times detailed that three teenagers were charged in juvenile court, reflecting their ages at the time of the crime.
Charges filed
In April 2023, a 20-year-old defendant pleaded guilty in juvenile court and admitted he entered the Hollywood Hills mansion intending to rob Pop Smoke. He was sentenced to four years in a juvenile facility, according to the Los Angeles Times. HotNewHipHop (hip-hop blog) reported that 50 Cent reacted to the arrests by questioning why police had waited until the album release to make the charges public.
The pattern: the case has moved entirely through California’s juvenile system, with only one defendant so far entering a plea. The remaining cases are still pending.
Who ended Ja Rule’s career?
The decline of Ja Rule’s commercial relevance in the mid-2000s is often linked to his highly publicized feud with 50 Cent and Eminem. While this article focuses on Pop Smoke, a full examination of Ja Rule’s career trajectory is beyond its scope. For readers seeking background, the feud has been extensively covered by music historians.
Timeline
- July 20, 1999 – Bashar Barakah Jackson born in Brooklyn, New York.
- 2018 – Pop Smoke begins releasing music, gains local attention.
- 2019 – Breakthrough with Welcome to the Party; signs with Victor Victor Worldwide.
- February 19, 2020 – Killed during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills (iHeartRadio).
- April 2020 – Posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon announced.
- July 2020 – Album debuts at number one on Billboard 200.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Pop Smoke died from multiple gunshot wounds on February 19, 2020.
- Multiple suspects were arrested and charged, including one who pleaded guilty in 2023.
- 50 Cent publicly mourned his death and executive-produced the posthumous album.
What’s unclear
- His exact last words have not been verified by official sources.
- Whether 50 Cent attended the funeral is not publicly confirmed.
- The precise sequence of events inside the mansion during the shooting remains contested.
Key quotes
“R.I.P to my man Pop Smoke, No sympathy for winners. God bless him.”
– 50 Cent, via Rap-Up (February 19, 2020)
“The defendant admitted he entered the Hollywood Hills mansion intending to rob Pop Smoke.”
– Los Angeles Times, reporting on the April 2023 plea
For law enforcement and the music industry alike, the Pop Smoke case shows how a single violent event can have decades-long legal and cultural aftershocks. For fans, the takeaway is clear: the music remains, but the quest for full accountability—and complete answers—is still unfinished.
Related reading: **Puff Daddy: What Is Sean Combs Doing Now? (2026 Update)** · **Snoop Dogg: Legal History, Family, and Controversies Explained**
Frequently asked questions
How did Pop Smoke die?
He was shot and killed during a home invasion at a rented mansion in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, on February 19, 2020.
Where was Pop Smoke killed?
At a rented home in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
How old was Pop Smoke?
He was 20 years old at the time of his death, born July 20, 1999.
What is Pop Smoke’s most famous song?
His breakout single “Welcome to the Party” and the posthumous hit “Dior” are among his most streamed songs.
What is Pop Smoke’s real name?
Bashar Barakah Jackson.
How tall was Pop Smoke?
He was reported to be 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Is Pop Smoke’s case solved?
Multiple suspects have been charged, and one has pleaded guilty. Other cases remain pending in California juvenile court.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.