When a recording artist passes away, there are two different ways that fans tend to react. They either dive into their discographies and interviews, hoping to honor the artist's legacy and salvage the artist's memory. While some may be able to derive joy from the artist's work and pay tribute to them in this fashion, others may find this too painful of a reminder that someone they admired is gone. 

For those who can muster the strength, Pop Smoke's final interview is making rounds online. He speaks to the hosts of BBC Asian Network, DJ Limelight and Kan D Man, about his wave of success and his recently-released project Meet The Woo 2. The clip serves as a devastating reminder of where the Brooklyn rapper was heading and also how respectful of a guy he was. Before the hosts start asking him questions, he asks them where they're from and establishes a connection over their shared Middle Eastern roots. He goes on to discuss his breakout song, "Welcome To The Party", and the various UK producers he had linked up with. He seems genuinely appreciate of all the good fortune that was coming his way. "Life just work like that," he said. "You never know when the blessing comes your way." 

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Via @djlimelightuk ??

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Last Wednesday (Feb. 19), Pop Smoke suffered a fatal gunshot wound during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills. Police are still investigating whether it was a targeted hit. 

As we mourn the loss of Pop Smoke (born Bashar Barakah Jackson), a rising star whose music has provided and will continue to provide joy to so many, we wonder how and why this tragedy occurred. When the news of the Brooklyn rapper’s death broke this morning (Feb. 19), not many details were provided. TMZ reported that he was murdered in a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills. The property is owned by Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp, so it seems Pop Smoke was renting it. 

The initial report stated that there were two masked men who critically injured Pop Smoke at around 4:30 AM on Wednesday. The invaders supposedly fired shots at Pop Smoke before fleeing the scene. He was brought to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The perpetrators have still not been identified or caught. 

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

TMZ has now provided an update on the case. Rather than just two culprits, sources with access to the home’s surveillance footage deduced that there were at least four masked men who snuck onto the premises. They wore hoodies and made their way into the house just 10 minutes after people inside deadbolted the front doors shut. The fact that the house alarm wasn’t turned on apparently aided the invaders in making their attack. 

According to law enforcement, a party took place at the house prior to the shooting. Pop Smoke unintentionally sharing his address on his Instagram Story on Tuesday (Feb. 18) is suspected to have facilitated his targeting. The hip hop community is grieving.