Fans, friends and former collaborators flooded social media on Monday (July 20) to pay tribute to Pop Smoke on what would have been his 21st birthday. The remembrances arrive five months after the late Brooklynite was tragically killed in a home invasion.
“Happy birthday superstar,” Pop’s manager Steven Victor posted on Instagram. “Today we celebrate you! Today we turn our pain into champagne forever & always.”
Quavo, who first collaborated with Pop on Meet the Woo 2, also remembered his friend.
“Happy 21st Bday To The Woo,” the Migos rapper posted. “Miss U Kid.”
According to media mogul Karen Civil, Pop’s birthday was celebrated by his family’s Shoot For The Stars Foundation with “a day full of fun for the local kids in the community.”
Monday (July 20) also ushered in the deluxe edition of his posthumous album, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon. The 34-track effort includes new features from Fivio Foreign, Dafi Woo, Dread Woo, DaVido, PnB Rock, Jamie Foxx, Gunna, Young Thug, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Queen Naija, Calboy and Burna Boy.
“HAPPY Cday [Woo],” Fivio wrote on Instagram. “Wat we did 2 dis industry is juss different Dey gon kno who we are forever & Yu was da biggest part ov dat Luv Yu forever gangsta.”
Last week, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 — marking Pop’s first No. 1 album. With the accomplishment, the “Dior” rapper joined the likes of Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G. and XXXTentacion, all of whom had their posthumous debut albums go No. 1.
Earlier this month, three men and two male teenagers were arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with Pop’s death. Two of the adult suspects — Corey Walker and Keandre Rodgers — were charged with murder with a special circumstance allegation, while the third man was only arrested and booked for attempted murder. The two teenagers were also charged with murder and robbery and will be tried in a juvenile court.
Happy birthday Pop Smoke. See some tributes from fans and friends below.