Pop Smoke's Brother Speaks About Threats Against The Rapper & Lack Of Security

BY Erika Marie 8.9K Views
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Obasi Jackson says it's "mind-boggling" that his brother was traveling without tighter security detail adding, "That's something that bothers me."

Hindsight is always 20-20, and following the death of Pop Smoke, his loved ones grappled with where things went wrong to lead up to his tragic death. In February, the news of Pop Smoke's murder quickly circulated worldwide after he was callously gunned down during a home invasion robbery in Los Angeles. Authorities have apprehended suspects involved, and while the case against them builds, Pop's brother Obasi Jackson discusses the rapper's death on Peace of Mind with Taraji.

"All of that stuff he went through, it was just—there was a time when he went through a situation where people would put him down and count him out. There was a lot of threats on his life because of that," Obasi said on the Facebook Watch series. "People were trying to figure out where the threats were coming from. I didn't think that anybody would do that and it's just a lot that goes into it."

Obasi also struggles with why his brother was out and about without the proper protection. "You go out there with no security. I'm just like, I can't even fathom," he said. "It's mind-boggling to me that someone would let a superstar go out with no security. That still plays on my mind. That just don't make no sense. So, I don't wanna point fingers, that's not who I am as a person, but the truth is what the truth is and that's something that bothers me."

Elsewhere in the episode, Obasi touches on the tragedies that have occurred in Hip Hop, mentioning other artists who have lost their lives to gun violence. "Where does this stop? It's not just Pop Smoke. It's not just King Von. It's not just Nipsey [Hussle]." Obasi's episode of Peace of Mind with Taraji is available at 12 PM EST today on Facebook Watch.


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.