On ‘Faith,’ Pop Smoke’s memory—and influence—endures
The rapper's second album of new material released since his 2020 death features cameos from Dua Lipa, Kanye, Pharrell and others
The late Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke’s second posthumous album, “Faith,” was released Friday, a year after his debut album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
“Faith” is a bittersweet display of Pop Smoke’s talents. Featuring cameos from pop royalty (Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Kid Cudi, Dua Lipa, 21 Savage, and many more all make appearances) it’s also a fitting tribute to one of hip-hop’s hottest prospects, gunned down in his prime.
Months after Pop Smoke was killed at the age of 20 in February of 2020, his posthumous debut, “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon,” dominated the scene with hits like “Dior,” which eventually went on to win a Grammy.
Born Bashar Johnson (which means “bringer of good news”) in Canarsie, Pop Smoke made music that is a stew of global, club-bouncing drill hits. Familiar, yet oddly perfect for 2021. His songs became rallying cries, Black Lives Matter anthems, and a symbol of Brooklyn’s continued dominance in hip-hop.
On “Faith,” Pop Smoke demonstrates an even greater range. Songs like “Bout a Million” (featuring 21 Savage and 42 Dugg) are reminiscent of earlier drill hits like “For the Night” and the aforementioned “Dior,” while the more melancholy blues-inspired “8-Ball” (featuring Kid Cudi) reminds listeners that Pop Smoke was just getting started. Finally, the Kanye West-inspired “Tell The Vision” sees Smoke offer a tragic-in-hindsight reflection on his rise. “Look mama, I made it,” he raps in his gruffly defiant voice.
Two of Pop Smoke’s friends—including his longtime producer, 808Melo—have said they’re upset with the new posthumous release saying it couldn’t reflect his vision since he wasn’t involved in the making of the project.
Still, the album concludes with a monologue on “Merci Beaucoup,” in which he describes his hometown pride. “I wasn’t thinking about the masses yet. I’m thinking ‘bout my hood,” he says.
Of course, fans can’t help but wonder what “Faith” and future projects would have looked like had Pop Smoke lived. Whatever the answer is, it would have been wholly his own sound. In his own words: “Don’t let nobody get in between you and your creation.”
