🙏🏾 Pop Smoke's tragic triumph
hip hop's new daily operation | 7.3.20
TheMotto No. 58 should have been a joyous occasion: we’re celebrating the major-label album debut of one of New York’s most promising artists. Sadly Bashar “Pop Smoke” Jackson was killed on February 19 in a Hollywood Hills home invasion. The Brooklyn native was 20 years old. Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon (Victor Victor/Republic), the project Pop was working on before his violent passing, has arrived. Smoke’s manager, Steven Victor recently told New York’s Hot 97 how a sit-down with 50 Cent convinced him to make this posthumous release a reality.
This kid created two classic mix tapes. He created two big hits — one gold, one platinum. It’s a crying shame that this kid didn’t get to live his moment. He didn’t even get to run one victory lap.
The album is 19 songs strong. There are guests aplenty — from Quavo to Future to Tyga to King Combs. There are clear signs of growth throughout, as Pop’s music expands beyond his drill sound foundation. Pop pays homage to 50 and interpolates his classic 2003 “Many Men” in the new visual below ⬇️ the video is a mashup of footage apparently gathered from four different directors.
my early favorite: “For The Night,” which features Lil Baby and DaBaby. I did some wrong | But I’m always right, raps Pop on the hook. Hope “Night” gets the single push.
top billin’:
mood⬇️
watch out, now:
the optics remain same but this time, 6ix9ine switches his style up and spits straight Spanish raps. Ay Dios mío ⤴️
⤴️🎤Watch your tone | You’re not even you enough to fuck with me. Checking in late night from his Atlanta palace, Russ bars up all his doubters. Now that he’s 100% independent again, we should expect a whole lot more ⤴️📶
make money, money…go shopping: ⤴️🛍 Lil Durk and guest Gunna get their fashion floss on in “Gucci, Gucci.” Them cars are nice too 🚙
⌚️⏫ Flood my wrist | Watch too thick | VVs hit | Elliot style (the jeweler, not me). Bronx bombers A Boogie and Don Q have strip club fun with Philly’s Lil Uzi Vert. The song is from the forthcoming Highbridge The Label compilation ⤴️
Kehlani shares her love for Le Labo candles, black seed oil, and the Canon she uses to shoot her amazing videos.
you must learn:
21 Savage launches free online financial program for youth 💸 (AP)
How To Use TikTok To Promote Your Music 💪🏽 (Soundcharts)
Every Black Man Have To Fight: Buju Banton on prison and liberation 🇯🇲 Author: Lloyd Bradley / The Guardian
Anti-Algorithmic Music: How Bandcamp Is Helping Artists Beat The Odds Author: Matt McDermott/Resident Advisor
Silence Is Peace: Instrumental Music Just Feels Different 🎺🎻 Author: Yoh / DJ Booth
made you look:
Meg bought herself a new Richard Mille for her NME cover shoot ⏫
Drake’s outside. Right outside ⤴️
Mask on: the great Chuck D 😷⏫
turn it up:
No days off: Westside Gunn returns with Flygod Is An Awesome God 2 (Griselda/Empire). This pair-up with Benny and Boldy gets the soulful chef’s kiss 👨🏽🍳⬇️
This is ‘92 | I’m just reminding y’all | Police killed my uncle | Had my grandmother crying hard. In more Griselda news, Conway addresses the crooked cops on this upgrade of Jim Jones’ recent protest anthem ⤵️
what more can I say:
Bosses gotta feed they men | Real leaders got to lead the way | All the way to the end. Told ya: this new Yo Gotti is one of 2020’s best songs. Here’s the visual featuring Moneybagg Yo and Blac Youngsta. Memphis, stand up: this is a strong anthem for unpredictable times. Adversity can build strength. Stay up 🙏🏾
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Danyel Smith + Elliott Wilson