Upon the release of Pop Smoke’s posthumous album Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, the late rapper’s manager Steven Victor and 50 Cent hit up Apple Music’s Rap Life to speak with Ebro Darden about the new record.
The pair talked about Pop’s vision, how 50 Cent — who executive produced the project — convinced Victor to finish it and how the final effort came together. During the conversation, Victor also offered an update on the ongoing investigation into Pop’s death.
“They’re definitely further along [in the investigation],” he told Darden. “It’s way closer. I’m getting information from Pop’s criminal attorney and he’s in communication with LAPD and the detectives out there. It’s definitely way, way closer than it was a couple of months ago.”
“Obviously, we’re civilians, so they’re not gonna give us information that could jeopardize the investigation,” he continued, “but justice will definitely be served.”
Back in May, it was reported that Pop’s murder investigation had been delayed due to the Coronavirus. The Meet The Woo rapper was fatally shot during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills, CA on Feb. 19.
“Bashar ‘Pop Smoke’ Jackson — so genuine, bright, loving, and so full of promise. A rare soul, wise beyond his years whose smile, voice, mere presence would brighten the room,” a statement from Victor and Pop’s family read. “He was all the things one could hope for in an artist, friend, leader and partner. Pop’s passing leaves us all broken hearted with a wound that will never heal.”
As reported by REVOLT, local authorities have so far revealed that two men wearing hoodies and masks broke into the house around 4:30 a.m. and fired multiple rounds of shots, several of which hit Pop. The Brooklynite passed away at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from gunshot wounds later that morning.
After months of anticipation, Pop’s posthumous album Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon arrived on Friday (July 3). The 19-track offering includes features from Quavo, Lil Baby, DaBaby, Swae Lee, Future, Rowdy Rebel, 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch, Tyga, Karol G, Lil Tjay and King Combs.
Stream the album below.