When 50 Cent speaks about Pop Smoke, there’s a rare softness in his tone—one that reveals more than respect. It reveals recognition. For 50, Pop wasn’t just another rising star; he was a mirror of his younger self. The grit, the hunger, the commanding voice—Pop Smoke possessed a rawness that reminded 50 of his own early years in the rap game.
“Pop Smoke was like a new or younger version of me,” 50 once said. “Anytime I listened to him, it was like I was listening to my young self.”
Coming from an artist who built an empire out of struggle and ambition, those words carry enormous weight. Pop wasn’t simply talented. He was spiritually familiar.
One moment between them has stood out in 50’s memory—one that almost felt like a passing of the torch. During a visit, Pop kept tapping on his phone while 50 was speaking. At first, 50 grew irritated, assuming Pop wasn’t paying attention. But when he walked over to look, the truth was the opposite: Pop was writing down every word.
That small moment said everything about who Pop Smoke was. He was hungry. He was teachable. He was preparing for greatness not by pretending to know everything, but by absorbing game from those who paved the way.
In an industry where ego often overshadows growth, Pop Smoke was a student of the craft—eager, disciplined, and driven. His deep, thunderous voice and drill-driven presence felt like a storm shaking the culture. He wasn’t just next up; he was already defining a new wave.
And then, far too soon, the wave was cut short.
Pop Smoke’s passing didn’t just take a young artist from the world—it robbed hip-hop of a generational force. A talent who had already shifted the sound and was destined to elevate it even further. Yet in the legacy he left behind—in the music, the energy, and the impact—you can still feel that unstoppable hunger.
To 50 Cent, Pop Smoke wasn’t just a rising rapper. He was family. He was potential. He was a reminder of the fire that builds legends.
And though he’s gone, Pop Smoke’s voice continues to echo—deep, powerful, unforgettable. A legacy cut short, but never erased