Pop Smoke cleaned house last night (May 23) at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Out of the 10 categories he was nominated in, the Brooklyn native posthumously won awards for the Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album, Top New Artist, Top Rap Male Artist and Top Rap Artist.
Several of Pop’s nominations stemmed from his 2020 album, Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon. The late rapper’s mother, Audrey Jackson, accepted the award for Top Billboard 200 Album on her son’s behalf.
“Thank you to the fans for honoring the life and spirit of my son so much that he continues to manifest as if he were still here in flesh,” she said in an emotional speech joined by Pop’s brother, Obasi Jackson.
“He created music for the kid who has to sleep four in a room. The kid who has to figure out how to get to school each day so he can graduate and make his mom proud,” she continued. “He did this so that 14-year-olds would not have to kill to prove they are somebody. That is the irony in this, so thank you to the Billboard Awards leadership for honoring my young warrior. Bashar Barakah Jackson, we call your name.”
50 Cent, who executive produced Pop’s posthumous album, reacted to his many wins on Instagram.
“Pop said he wanted to take his mom to a[n] award show,” he wrote. “Mission accomplished!”
Along with the five trophies, Pop also recently made Billboard history. Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon spent 20 weeks at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200, beating out Eminem’s 19-week run with his 2011 album, Recovery. After his tragic death, Pop was also honored with the Best New Hip Hop Artist Award at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards and earned a Grammy nomination for his song “Dior.”
See 50 Cent’s post and Pop’s mother’s speech below.