Pop Smoke’s family has opened up about the lack of support they say they’ve received from certain figures in the hip-hop community following the rapper’s death.
During a recent appearance on The Real Report With Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, the late rapper’s mother, Ms. Audrey Jackson, and his brother, Obasi, reflected on their current emotional and mental state. The conversation eventually turned toward what they described as fake love from people who once claimed to be friends or supporters in the industry.
“I think people need to check in to see how mandem is doing,” Obasi said while speaking on the topic. He then tried to name a few individuals who had shown support to their family, but after pausing and struggling to recall names, he looked toward his mother for help.
“Who that?” Ms. Jackson responded, prompting laughter from hosts Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, who then asked who actually checks in on the family.
“We’re not gonna name them,” Obasi said. Ms. Jackson then asked who they believe should be reaching out.
“I think everybody supposed to check in, like how we’re checking in now, in due time,” Yayo replied.
“The people that y’all would think should be tapping in are not tapping in,” Obasi continued. “Akademiks already had an interview with Fivio [Foreign]; [I] already ran down on him … If I was to die right now and my friends don’t come support my mom or my family ever, ever! That’s an issue.”
He went on to explain that while he would “never stop a Black man from getting his money,” he believes Fivio’s public displays of loyalty don’t feel genuine. “If you’s talking about, ‘Yo, I’m ride or die. We woo. Shoot for the stars. I got it tatted on me,’ that’s it,” he said, adding that Fivio — whom he’s criticized before — should be doing more to support his family and preserve his brother’s legacy.
Ms. Jackson, however, shared a different perspective. “If you show up, you supposed to be there. You don’t show up, you not supposed to be there,” she said. She added that while she isn’t angry with those who haven’t supported the family since Pop Smoke’s passing, she also doesn’t want them to “come through when [they] need a favor.”
The discussion later shifted to the Shoot for the Stars Foundation, which was launched in 2021 to honor Pop Smoke’s legacy. According to Ms. Jackson, several rappers have reached out to help support the foundation, but many of them were initially being “blocked” from contacting her.
When asked what she meant by “blocking,” Obasi clarified that it had more to do with silence around the foundation — not promoting it or letting people know they could reach out to the family.
“Why we quiet? But y’all love Pop. Feel me?” he said. “It’s about this [points to his chest]. It’s the intention in your heart and the character of who you are. Feel me? That’s what I’m referring to when we say blocked.”
Yayo then mentioned Steven Victor, Pop Smoke’s former manager. Ms. Jackson explained that Victor served on the board of the late rapper’s foundation during its first year but hasn’t been involved since.
At that point, Obasi became more animated, asking Yayo and Murda why they believed Victor should still be supporting the family. Yayo responded: “He made a lot of money off Pop Smoke.”
“Word?” Obasi replied sarcastically, seemingly agreeing with the hosts’ viewpoint. Ms. Jackson then added that she believes Victor stepped away because there’s no longer an opportunity to profit from her son.
Pop Smoke was tragically killed during a home invasion robbery in Los Angeles on February 19, 2020. He was 20 years old.
