Yesterday (June 29), the tracklist for Pop Smoke’s posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon was revealed. Boasting 19 songs, the star-studded record includes features from Quavo, Lil Baby, DaBaby, Swae Lee, Future, 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch, Tyga, Karol G, King Combs and Rowdy Rebel on the previously released “Make It Rain.”
Along with the stacked tracklist, the official cover art for Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon was also shared. Designed by Virgil Abloh, the artwork portrays an image of the late Brooklynite surrounded by diamonds and barbed wire. On Instagram, Abloh said the “album cover was one of like 5 things we talked about” and played off of Pop “[mentioning his story felt like the metaphor of a rose & thorns growing from concrete of of his hood in Canarsie, Brooklyn.”
However, the artwork was not met favorably by fans. On Twitter, many users dragged the design and even launched a petition to have it changed.
Pop’s manager Steven Victor addressed the backlash and confirmed that the artwork would be redesigned in response to fans’ criticism.
“HEARD YOU,” he tweeted, followed by, “MAKING A CHANGE.”
“POP WOULD LISTEN TO HIS FANS!” he concluded.
On Instagram, Victor further elaborated his plans to change the artwork.
“As pop’s label & as his friends/family, it is our obligation to bring his vision to life,” he wrote on his Story. “He wanted Virgil to lead creative, we fulfilled his wishes however, unfortunately, he’s not here to give his final approval his fans, are.”
“You know why you love pop, your voices are loud and clear,” his message continued. “He loved his fans and listened to his fans. pop and us at victor victor h e a r d you l o u d and clear – changes will be made see you July 3rd 2020.”
After Victor announced that the cover would be changed, fans began sharing their own Pop-inspired fan art on Twitter. The late 20-year-old’s Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon album drops on Friday (July 3). See some reactions to the cover and fan art on Twitter below.