Originally announced in May, Pop Smoke’s estate was set to release his posthumous album tonight. Due to the protests against police brutality, Steven Victor (who worked closely with the rapper as head of the Victor Victor label imprint) wanted to respect the current events and the Black Lives Matter Movement by holding on to the late rapper’s release.
“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. Given recent events, we have decided to delay the release of his album out of respect for the movement.”
To hold us over, the UMG executive drops off Pop Smoke’s “Make It Rain” featuring Rowdy Rebel.
Courtesy of Griffin Lotz for Rolling Stone
Produced by Yamaica, Rico Beats and 808Melo, Smoke does what he did best — float! Pop Smoke died after succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds in Los Angeles in February during what an unresolved investigation calls a home invasion. The rapper was only 20-years-old at the time. Since then, 50 Cent has recruited several features for the rapper’s first album, which he adopted and is executively producing. Pop Smoke earned a platinum certification from the RIAA for his single “Dior” and Gold certification for his single “Welcome To The Party” in May. He has also made several posthumous Billboard appearances and is expected to continue along those lines with his new catalog.
It still doesn’t feel like reality knowing that Pop Smoke is no longer with us. His untimely demise opened the eyes of many individuals across the globe and we must continue to build his legacy by any means. Though his physical presence is absent, he’s still alive and well through his music.
Stream “Make It Rain” below and let us know your thoughts!