Tributes from the hip-hop community are pouring in for Pop Smoke, a rising New York rapper who was shot and killed Wednesday at age 20.
Chance the Rapper, Nicki Minaj, 50 Cent, Juicy J and more artists took to Instagram and Twitter to honor their own and lament a culture that puts targets on the backs of promising young creatives.
The rapper’s death came days after his sophomore mixtape, “Meet the Woo, Vol. 2,” hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. His debut mixtape, “Meet the Woo,” launched last year and has 280 million streams globally.
“No such thing as success without jealousy,” tweeted 50 Cent. “Treachery comes from those who are close. R.i.P.”
No such thing as success with out jealousy, treachery comes from those who are close. R.i.P pic.twitter.com/OZxKtpPZog
— 50cent (@50cent) February 19, 2020
Many expressed their shock at Pop Smoke’s sudden death and offered condolences to his loved ones.
“Rest Up Pop Smoke, you were too young,” Chance the Rapper wrote. “God Bless and comfort to your family. What a crazy trajectory you were on man.”
“The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave,” Minaj said on Instagram. “Unbelievable. Rest In Peace, Pop.”
See more reactions to the up-and-comer’s death below.
Streets full of haters the streets don’t love you when you make it R.I.P Pop Smoke
— T WAYNE 9 (@TIONWAYNE) February 19, 2020
R.I.P. POP SMOKE 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) February 19, 2020
rest in peace pop smoke
— Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) February 19, 2020
RIP Pop Smoke. The world is crazy man. Full of jealousy and hate. Find your happy and go ghost on the world. Never give them too much information. Keep to yourself and your space!
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) February 19, 2020
Dawg... freaking Pop Smoke? Wow come on man. This is getting CRAZY
— Deion Sanders Jr (@DeionSandersJr) February 19, 2020
RIP POP SMOKE....this is sad man. Death over a home invasion ?? Is this the extent people are willing to go for material gain smh... my sincere apologies & prayers to his family. Lord we need you !
— Michael Dapaah (@MichaelDapaah) February 19, 2020
Rest In Peace POP SMOKE 👼🏾 Only 20yrs Old Wow Dammmmmmm
— Asian Doll (@AsianDaBrattt) February 19, 2020
Rip Pop smoke We was Just in the booth...Condolences To his Family🙏🏾🖤
— Polo.G🐐 (@Polo_Capalot) February 19, 2020
Times staff writer Christi Carras contributed to this report.
