Pop Smoke's Mother Can't Bring Herself To Listen To His First Posthumous Album

BY Erika Marie 6.3K Views
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Pop Smoke
Audrey Jackson shared that she hasn't listened to "Shoot For the Stars, Aim For the Moon" because the album was "a part of the immediate loss."

Today (July 16), Pop Smoke's second posthumous album, Faith, arrived. Throughout the day, debates have been launched about the project as some people praised the album while others weren't convinced that Pop would approve of how it was constructed. As Hip Hop fans discuss the record down to the very last bar, the slain rapper's mother, Audrey Jackson, and brother, Obasi Jackson, sat down with Angie Martinez to speak about Pop Smoke's legacy.

It was nothing but positive energy from the jump as Angie and the Jacksons fondly remembered Pop's last interview with the radio host. His mother said she "loved" the exchange while Obasi shared stories about first hearing his brother's voice go through a change. "There was no puberty," he joked.

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"With the new album it's easier to hear his voice," said Pop's mother. "I don't know if it's because time has passed or he does sound different on this. His sound, his style, it's different." She admitted that he hasn't listed to Shoot For the Stars, Aim For the Moon yet because "it's a part of the immediate loss." Jackson recalled Pop Smoke "coming home and trying some of the songs on me."

Elsewhere, Obasi shared that if there is any Pop Smoke wisdom that young artists should glean from, it's the importance of learning the business. Obasi revealed that Pop was always on his computer studying the ins and outs of the business, and while he was focused on making money and building a career, Pop was "smart about it."

"He made sure that when he got here, he had things in place, LLC, whatever. You wanna do fashion, you want to do restaurants, you wanna do all that stuff," said Obasi. "He had a business mind."

Watch the insightful interview with Audrey and Obasi Jackson below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.