What Pop Smoke Means for Us
It’s tough to put into words the feelings that we have when we lose people who have managed to impact and influence us, even if they weren’t a part of our lives in the traditional sense. It’s a phenomenon that my friends and I have had to deal with several times in the past few months. We’ve lost countless artists and respected individuals that have shaped us into the people we are proud to be today. This morning, we woke up to the news that we lost Pop Smoke- less than two weeks after the release of “Meet the Woo 2”.
He came to rise with his 808Melo-produced hit “Welcome to the Party” and has steady released huge singles, while maintaining his signature sound. He gained further recognition at the end of 2019, after being featured on Travis Scott’s “Jackboys” compilation project.
Only recently, however, did I sit back and realize how important Pop Smoke was for our generation. Of course, he popularized UK drill/grime beats, from his home in New York, the birthplace of “Boom-Bap” hip-hop – but we’ve already given him credit for the musical work that he did, now it’s time credit him for more.
Pop Smoke is a child of the internet, who made the change he wanted to see. Like many in his generation, he had access to more than a child from the 80’s or 90’s might have had. The new generation is lucky enough to hear music from around the globe. I don’t know how much Pop Smoke appreciated or knew about the drill/grime scenes in Chicago and the UK, respectively, and I don’t know how much he knew or cared about the lack of that scene in New York, however, he made one- because that is what he wanted to do.
It is that , we need to appreciate the most. He passed at 20 years old. But before he left, he showed us what could happen when you create what you want to create. Because he believed in himself, we were introduced to the “Woo”.
I’ve seen the energy that Pop Smoke’s music brings to the clubs. I’ve seen the “Woo” hit several times, and I pray I’ll get to see it hit forever. Thank you Pop Smoke. You haunted us with your voice, now you inspire us with your energy. Rest Easy.