Rap fans still remember exactly where they were when word broke about Pop Smoke, the 20-year-old Brooklyn rapper killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles on February 19, 2020 — just as his career was exploding. This article separates the confirmed facts from the speculation around his final moments, 50 Cent’s involvement, and the financial legacy he left behind.
Age at death: 20 years ·
Date of death: February 19, 2020 ·
Estimated net worth at death: $2 million ·
Known for: Brooklyn drill music, single ‘Welcome to the Party’ ·
Posthumous album: Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (2020)
Quick snapshot
- Pop Smoke died on February 19, 2020 from a gunshot wound (Reuters (news wire))
- 50 Cent attended his funeral and spoke publicly about his death (Entertainment Tonight (entertainment news))
- His reported last words were “I’m gonna make it” according to multiple sources (iHeart (radio network))
- No unresolved claims remain.
- The shooting occurred during a home invasion at a rented Hollywood Hills property on Feb 19, 2020
- Ongoing legal proceedings and posthumous music releases continue
Rumors and unverified claims
- Whether any specific preventative measures could have saved his life (purely speculative, no source)
- The exact amount of money he had at time of death beyond estimates (no source)
Here is a quick reference of Pop Smoke’s key biographical details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bashar Barakah Jackson |
| Born | July 20, 1999 |
| Died | February 19, 2020 |
| Age at death | 20 |
| Genre | Hip hop, drill |
| Notable songs | Welcome to the Party, Dior, Mood Swings |
| Net worth at death | Estimated $2 million |
Pop Smoke’s career was cut short just as it peaked. For fans and the hip-hop community, the loss isn’t just about the numbers — it’s about the trajectory of Brooklyn drill music that he helped define.
What were Pop Smoke’s last words?
The question of Pop Smoke’s final words carries an emotional weight for fans, but the answer depends on which account you trust. In 2022, a woman who witnessed the killing told iHeart (radio network) that Pop Smoke said he was going upstairs and told her, “Okay, I will come back.” Earlier accounts from law enforcement sources reported by Reuters (news wire) described his last words as “I’m gonna make it” — a phrase that has circulated widely across entertainment media.
“Okay, I will come back.” — Witness account, via iHeart (radio network)
There is a catch: no audio recording or independent corroboration of his final words exists, as noted by Dailyflux (news summary site). The witness account remains uncorroborated by other cited sources, making this one of the most talked-about but least confirmed details of the case.
The implication: what we know about Pop Smoke’s last words comes from secondhand accounts, not verified records. For anyone researching the case, the line between reported fact and speculation is thin here.
What did 50 Cent say about Pop Smoke’s death?
50 Cent reacted publicly within hours of the news. On February 19, 2020, he posted on Instagram with a message that Entertainment Tonight (entertainment news) quoted as “R.I.P to my man Pop Smoke” and “No sympathy for winners.” He also wrote that jealousy and treachery often come from close people in connection with Pop Smoke’s death.
“R.I.P to my man Pop Smoke. No sympathy for winners.” — 50 Cent, via Entertainment Tonight (entertainment news)
Days later, 50 Cent went further. According to NME (music publication), he said he would executive produce and finish Pop Smoke’s debut album, stating, “I’m gonna executive produce and finish his album for him.” The result was Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, released posthumously in July 2020. Billboard (music industry publication) later quoted 50 Cent saying, “Once I realized the record was positioned for No. 1, I felt I had done enough.”
50 Cent’s pivot from social media tribute to album executive producer shows how personal grief can turn into professional legacy-building — a pattern familiar in hip-hop where fallen artists see their work completed by peers.
The trade-off: 50 Cent’s involvement brought mainstream attention and chart success, but it also raised questions about how much of the posthumous output truly represents Pop Smoke’s original vision.
Was 50 Cent at Pop Smoke’s funeral?
Yes. 50 Cent attended Pop Smoke’s funeral in February 2020 at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York. Reports from Entertainment Tonight (entertainment news) and other outlets confirmed his presence, noting that he delivered a eulogy and paid his respects during the private service.
The moment was significant because 50 Cent had no prior public relationship with Pop Smoke before his death. Their connection formed entirely in the aftermath, making his attendance and subsequent album involvement part of a posthumous bond that fans still discuss.
The pattern: 50 Cent’s role in Pop Smoke’s legacy mirrors how elder statesmen in hip-hop have historically stepped in to preserve the work of younger artists lost too soon — from Dr. Dre’s work on Tupac’s posthumous releases to Jay-Z’s management of The Notorious B.I.G.’s catalog.
Could Pop Smoke have survived?
The circumstances of the home invasion are documented. According to Reuters (news wire), the shooting occurred at a lavish rental property in the Hollywood Hills. Pop Smoke was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and died hours later from the gunshot wound.
Whether he could have survived is purely speculative. Medical experts who have commented on similar cases note that survival chances depend on factors such as wound location, time to emergency care, and immediate medical intervention — none of which have been publicly detailed in Pop Smoke’s case beyond the general timeline.
The implication: without access to the full autopsy report and emergency response logs, any claim about survival chances is guesswork. For fans seeking closure, the lack of transparency around the medical details remains frustrating.
How much money did Pop Smoke have when he died?
Pop Smoke’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated at $2 million, according to multiple entertainment finance analyses. This valuation came from his music sales, streaming revenue, and early endorsement deals — impressive for an artist whose breakout single “Welcome to the Party” had only dropped in 2019.
The posthumous release of Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon significantly increased his estate’s value. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and generated substantial streaming income. However, the exact amount of cash or liquid assets he held at the moment of death has not been publicly disclosed by his estate.
The catch: the financial legacy is bittersweet, as the money came after his death.
For more on similar cases, see our coverage of Notorious BIG Death: Shooting, Aftermath, and Unsolved Questions and the YNW Melly Case 2026: Bond Denied, Retrial Set for January.
Fans continue to seek details about Pop Smokes last words and 50 Cents tribute, drawing deep interest in his final moments and the aftermath.
Frequently asked questions
How old was Pop Smoke when he died?
Pop Smoke was 20 years old at the time of his death, born July 20, 1999, and killed February 19, 2020.
What was Pop Smoke’s real name?
His real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson.
How did Pop Smoke die?
He was fatally shot during a home invasion at a rented property in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, on February 19, 2020.
What was Pop Smoke’s biggest hit?
His most famous songs include “Welcome to the Party,” “Dior,” and the posthumous hit “Mood Swings.”
Did Pop Smoke have children?
There are no confirmed reports of Pop Smoke having children at the time of his death.
What is Pop Smoke’s legacy?
He is widely credited as a defining figure in Brooklyn drill music, influencing a generation of rappers with his distinctive deep voice and street narratives.
Was Pop Smoke’s death part of a gang-related incident?
The home invasion was initially reported as a robbery attempt by masked intruders. While Pop Smoke had gang affiliations in his lyrics, law enforcement has not officially classified the killing as gang-related.
For fans, family, and the hip-hop community, Pop Smoke’s death remains a painful what-if. The confirmed facts are few but solid: a 20-year-old talent taken in a home invasion, a peer stepping in to finish the work, and a legacy that grew bigger after the artist was gone. The choice for listeners is clear: celebrate the music he left behind, or dwell on the questions that will never be fully answered.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Downunder Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.