Pop Smoke’s Parents Star in PSA On The Anniversary Of His Death

On Feb. 19, 2020, rising rap superstar Pop Smoke was shot and killed during a home invasion robbery. In the weeks leading up to the one-year anniversary of Pop’s death, his parents were featured in a public service announcement about gun violence.

Pop Smoke Honored In Gun Violence PSA

Audrey and Greg Jackson lost their son, Bashar Jackson (a.k.a. Pop Smoke), to gun violence one year ago. The couple partnered with the I Will Graduate program and the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance to make a PSA addressing the epidemic that has scarred communities throughout the world.

“Because of gun violence, I’ll never see my son run up the front of our steps, taking them two at a time. He won’t ever take my hand again and dance with me. He won’t come into my room and muscle-pose in the mirror. Gun violence destroys families. It must stop.” (Audrey Jackson)

Pop Smoke To Make Movie Debut

Pop Smoke’s posthumous big screen debut, BOOGIE, is nearly here. Ahead of the film’s official release on March 5, the must-see trailer is making rounds across the Internet.

Pop Smoke appears in the trailer for the new coming-of-age film BOOGIE. The directorial debut of Eddie Huang (author of Fresh Off the Boat), BOOGIE finds Pop playing Monk, the basketball rival of main character Alfred “Boogie” Chin (played by Taylor Takahashi). It was filmed prior to the rapper’s death in February 2020. The movie is out March 5; watch the full trailer, soundtracked by Pop’s “Got It On Me.”

Director Talks About Working With Pop Smoke

The film’s director, Eddie Huang, took to his own Instagram to share the news of the release date. He also previously spoke on Pop’s hard work ethic and praised him for his nonstop grind.

“He gave me a thousand percent. They were tough 16-hour days, overnights, and he shot five overnights in a row. Kids were coming on the bridge to watch us shoot the scenes. We would play Pop’s record,” he said. “All our actors, the extras, the kids on the bridge watching us shoot scenes, everyone was doing the Woo dance. It was pretty special.” (Huang to the New York Times)

Pop Smoke Tops SoundCloud 2020 List

Smoke was posthumously honored as SoundCloud’s Top Artist of 2020. On the strength of his chart-topping Shoot For The Stars, Aim For the Moon album, his music has been streamed over 191.5 million times this year.

You’ve listened to your personal 2020 favorites, now take a look at the top moments and artists for SoundCloud. More at the link in bio. #Playback2020