Pop Smoke’s posthumous album release has been pushed back out of respect for the ongoing protests against police brutality and the death of George Floyd. On Instagram, the late Brooklynite’s manager Steven Victor revealed that the project will now be released on July 3, rather than this Friday (June 12).
“Music is the tool of revolution. We have been watching, along with the rest of the world, as long overdue change starts to take root. We have seen Pop’s music become the soundtrack of the moment, unifying the masses,” Victor’s post read. “Given recent events, we have decided to delay the release of his album out of respect for the movement.”
The first single to emerge from the project — “Make It Rain” — will be released this Friday (June 12). The track features a special guest, whom Victor has not revealed.
“Please join us in celebrating Pop Smoke’s legacy,” he added.
Along with the announcement, Victor also shared a compilation of black-and-white footage of Pop recording and performing, as a rendition of 50 Cent’s “Many Men” by the late rapper can be heard playing in the background. The clip closes with the message, “Shoot for the stars. Aim for the moon.”
Victor confirmed Pop’s posthumous album earlier this year and revealed he was also working on a documentary about his life.
“I’m working really, really hard on this Pop Smoke album. And I’m working on a documentary for him, too. And his foundation,” he told Complex.
50 Cent first announced the posthumous record on Instagram and recruited the likes of Drake, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch and Chris Brown for potential features. However, it’s unclear if 50 is still involved in the project. Furthermore, the album’s official title, tracklist and features have yet to be revealed.
See Victor’s announcement below.