Pop Smoke arrived like a thunderclap. Born Bashar Barakos Jackson in Brooklyn, New York, he carved out an entirely new lane in hip-hop — one built on menacing UK drill beats, a voice that sounded like it came from somewhere deep underground, and a swagger that was uniquely Canarsie, uniquely Brooklyn, uniquely his. Before his tragic death in February 2020 at just 20 years old, he had already reshaped the sonic landscape of rap music. The best Pop Smoke songs carry that weight — the grit, the hunger, the unmistakable charisma — and they continue to hit just as hard in 2026 as they did on day one. Whether listening through premium headphones or blasting from a car speaker at full volume, these tracks demand to be heard. This is a deep dive into 20 of his greatest.
Welcome to the Party
There is no better starting point for understanding Pop Smoke than “Welcome to the Party.” Released in 2019 on his debut mixtape Meet the Woo, the track is ground zero for Brooklyn drill in America. Producer 808Melo crafted a beat pulled directly from the UK drill playbook — icy synths, rattling hi-hats, and a relentlessly cold atmosphere — but Pop Smoke made it feel entirely New York. His delivery on this record is something else entirely: low, thunderous, authoritative. The hook locks in immediately, and the ad-libs hit with the force of a freight train. “Welcome to the Party” put Pop Smoke on the map and remains the definitive statement of what he was building.
Dior
“Dior” is arguably the most iconic record in Pop Smoke’s catalog. Built on a sample of Biggie’s “Word Up” instrumental reworked by producers Rico Beats and ANOM, the track reached number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since accumulated well over a billion streams across platforms. The production is dense and atmospheric, with that signature drill bounce sitting beneath layers of ominous texture. Pop Smoke glides through the beat effortlessly, name-dropping designer labels with the kind of conviction that makes it feel less like flexing and more like autobiography. On headphones, every syllable lands with crystal clarity. “Dior” is the song that turned a regional star into a global name.
For the Night (feat. Lil Baby & DaBaby)
“For the Night” became one of the biggest commercial moments of Pop Smoke’s posthumous Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon album, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The production swaps the raw drill aggression for something smoother — melodic, almost cinematic — with a beat that glides rather than pounds. Pop Smoke sounds remarkably comfortable in this more polished environment, stretching his delivery and showing range that surprised even longtime listeners. Lil Baby and DaBaby add complementary energy without overshadowing the lead, and the chorus sticks effortlessly. It remains one of his most radio-friendly recordings without ever feeling compromised.
What You Know Bout Love
If “For the Night” showed one side of Pop Smoke’s melodic range, “What You Know Bout Love” showed another. This track from Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon leans into an almost R&B-adjacent sound, with warm chords and a polished mix that felt like a deliberate artistic evolution. The vocal performance here is genuinely impressive — Pop Smoke stretches into melodic territory with far more confidence than critics anticipated, and the result is a deeply engaging listen. It peaked at number 11 on the Hot 100 and crossed demographic lines in a way that pure drill records rarely do. The song is proof that his potential was boundless.
Invincible
“Invincible,” from Meet the Woo 2, showcases the more introspective side of Pop Smoke’s artistry. The production carries a melancholic undercurrent — spacious, atmospheric, with a slower tempo that gives his vocals room to breathe. Lyrically, the track deals with themes of loyalty, street life, and resilience, delivered with a gravity that feels earned rather than performed. Listening to “Invincible” with quality wireless earbuds amplifies every textural detail in the production, from the subtle bass movement to the layered vocal harmonics in the background. It is one of the most emotionally complete records he ever put together.
Christopher Walking
“Christopher Walking” from Meet the Woo 2 is one of those records that captures exactly what made Pop Smoke’s voice such an instrument. The title plays on the name of actor Christopher Walken, with typical street-rap bravado layered throughout. Production-wise, it sits in that classic drill pocket — synth stabs, aggressive percussion, minimal melodic ornamentation — with Pop Smoke commanding every second. The energy here is competitive and confrontational in the best possible way, the kind of track that sounds made for a late-night drive through city streets. It became a standout from the tape and remains a fan-favorite in every playlist discussion.
Shake the Room
Also from Meet the Woo 2, “Shake the Room” demonstrated Pop Smoke’s ability to command energy on a massive scale. The beat has an almost arena-ready quality — big drums, sweeping atmosphere — and Pop Smoke leans into it with a performance that feels physically imposing. The track works equally well in a headphone session and at high volume in a crowded room, which is a production achievement in itself. The mixing ensures that his voice sits front and center without losing any of the instrumental punch. “Shake the Room” is the kind of record that makes listeners understand exactly why venues sold out whenever his name was on the bill.
Gatti (feat. Travis Scott)
The collaboration between Pop Smoke and Travis Scott on “Gatti” was one of the most electrifying moments on Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. Travis Scott’s psychedelic production sensibility collides with Pop Smoke’s raw drill energy to create something genuinely unique — a track that sits at the intersection of Brooklyn grit and Houston atmosphere. Pop Smoke’s verse is locked in and focused, while Travis brings his signature melodic chaos to the second half. The sonic contrast between the two artists should not work on paper but absolutely does in practice. “Gatti” is one of the most adventurous records in either artist’s catalog.
Genius
“Genius,” from the Faith album, is exactly what the title suggests — a showcase of lyrical and sonic intelligence packaged inside a hard-hitting production. The beat carries that classic dark energy that defined Pop Smoke’s best work, and his flow across the track is sharp and deliberate. There is a confidence in the delivery that borders on casual, which is perhaps the most impressive thing about it — he makes complexity sound effortless. For fans who came in through his commercial records and want to explore deeper cuts, “Genius” is an essential stop. It represents the artistic ambitions that were tragically cut short. Discover more of his era-defining catalog alongside other genre classics at GlobalMusicVibe’s songs section.
Merci Beaucoup
“Merci Beaucoup,” featured on Faith, reflects Pop Smoke’s increasing comfort with melodic experimentation. The title — French for “thank you very much” — hints at a reflective, almost grateful tone that colors the entire track. Production is layered and sophisticated, with warm bass tones and a polished mix that places his vocals in a flattering sonic space. The lyrical content touches on gratitude, ambition, and self-awareness — themes that resonate more deeply given the context of his short life. It is one of those records that grows with repeated listening, revealing new details and emotional weight each time through.
Bout a Million
“Bout a Million” from Faith returns to the harder, more aggressive side of Pop Smoke’s output. The beat hits with force from the opening seconds, and the production maintains a relentless intensity throughout. Pop Smoke’s voice is used as a percussive element here as much as a melodic one — the rhythm of his delivery syncs with the drums in a way that makes the whole track feel impossibly tight. Lyrically, it covers familiar territory — wealth, loyalty, street credibility — but the execution elevates it beyond standard rap boasting. For listeners who want the raw, unfiltered Pop Smoke experience, this one delivers exactly that.
Manslaughter
“Manslaughter,” from the Faith album, is among the most viscerally exciting records in his discography. The production is relentless — fast-moving, percussion-heavy, with a beat that barely gives space to breathe — and Pop Smoke matches its energy with a performance that is all urgency and conviction. The title track energy is appropriate: this is a record that functions like an adrenaline surge from start to finish. Mixing-wise, the low end is enormous, and the track benefits greatly from listening through headphones that can handle deep bass reproduction. “Manslaughter” is pure, uncut drill music at its most thrilling.
Top Shotta
“Top Shotta,” from Faith, carries the confident aggression that became one of Pop Smoke’s calling cards. The production is dark and cinematic, with an almost menacing atmosphere that sets the tone from the first bar. His delivery is locked in throughout — measured, forceful, and precise — with an instinct for rhythmic placement that separates him from the pack. “Top Shotta” is one of those deep cuts that rewards fans who go past the singles, offering a glimpse into the harder, more uncompromising side of his artistry that the posthumous album era continued to develop.
Brush Em
“Brush Em,” also from Faith, brings a competitive, battle-rap energy that sits comfortably among Pop Smoke’s most assertive work. The beat has an angular, aggressive construction — sharp hi-hats, pounding 808s — and Pop Smoke sounds genuinely hungry throughout. There is a looseness to the delivery here that contrasts with some of his more polished commercial efforts, and that rawness is exactly what makes it compelling. For listeners who fell in love with the mixtape-era Pop Smoke, “Brush Em” feels closest in spirit to those early recordings, even within the more produced environment of a major label album.
Don’t Know Em
“Don’t Know Em,” from Faith (Deluxe), is a dismissive, ice-cold record that channels the detached confidence Pop Smoke perfected across his career. Production here keeps things minimal and eerie, letting his voice carry the weight of the track without unnecessary ornamentation. The lyrical approach is casual in the best possible way — he sounds completely unbothered, which is somehow more intimidating than any amount of vocal aggression could achieve. As a deep cut, “Don’t Know Em” rewards the kind of listener who pays close attention, catching the subtle shifts in flow and delivery that reveal just how precise his technique had become.
Questions
“Questions,” from Faith, stands out as one of the more introspective and emotionally vulnerable records in Pop Smoke’s catalog. The production opts for a moody, atmospheric approach — subtle melodic elements woven through a restrained beat — that creates space for genuine reflection. His vocal performance here is measured and deliberate, with a sincerity that contrasts with the bravado-heavy energy of many surrounding tracks. “Questions” offers a reminder that beneath the larger-than-life persona was an artist genuinely wrestling with the complexities of his situation, his loyalties, and his place in the world.
Run Down
“Run Down,” from Faith, is built for motion — the kind of track that sounds best at full volume while moving through city streets after dark. The production is kinetic and urgent, with a beat that propels rather than settles. Pop Smoke’s delivery mirrors the energy of the instrumental perfectly, maintaining intensity without sacrificing clarity of articulation. The track is relatively lean in structure, which works in its favor — no excessive intros, no wasted time, just focused energy from first bar to last. It is a perfect example of Pop Smoke’s instinct for pure momentum.
Demeanor
“Demeanor,” from Faith, leans into the style-conscious, fashion-forward persona that Pop Smoke wore as comfortably as the designer labels he rapped about. The production has a smoother, more melodic quality than many of his drill-oriented records, with a beat that carries genuine warmth without losing edge. His vocal performance here is relaxed and assured, demonstrating the kind of effortless cool that most rappers spend entire careers trying to achieve. “Demeanor” is a strong argument that Pop Smoke’s range extended well beyond the one-dimensional “drill rapper” tag that lazy commentary sometimes applied to him.
Double It
“Double It,” from Faith (Deluxe), keeps things straightforward and hard-hitting in the best possible way. The production is dense and bass-heavy, with a mix that rewards listening through systems capable of reproducing real low end. Pop Smoke is in full confidence mode here, stacking bars with the kind of focused energy that characterized his best work. The track does not reinvent anything — it is pure craftsmanship in a familiar style — but the execution is flawless. “Double It” is the kind of record that ends up on workout playlists and late-night drives in equal measure, the kind of music that just functions exactly as intended.
Show Out (feat. Skepta & Kid Cudi)
“Show Out,” from Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon III: The Chosen, brought together three wildly different creative forces and somehow made it work. UK rap legend Skepta and psychedelic rap icon Kid Cudi provide a fascinating sonic backdrop for Pop Smoke, who holds his own in a lineup of artists with significantly longer careers. His verse is sharp and self-possessed — relaxed in tone but pointed in execution — demonstrating a cultural fluency that extended well beyond Brooklyn’s boundaries. The collaboration feels like a glimpse of what a more globally connected Pop Smoke career might have looked like. It remains one of his most interesting recorded moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Pop Smoke known for?
Pop Smoke is primarily known for Brooklyn drill, a subgenre of hip-hop that adapted the dark, ominous production style of UK drill to a New York street rap context. His early work with producers like 808Melo helped establish Brooklyn drill as a defined sound with global reach.
What is Pop Smoke’s most popular song?
“Dior” is widely considered Pop Smoke’s signature song and most recognizable record. It has accumulated billions of streams across platforms and helped introduce his sound to a massive international audience beyond the drill music community.
How many studio albums did Pop Smoke release?
Pop Smoke released two studio albums: Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon in 2020 and Faith in 2021, both released posthumously. Before those, he released the mixtapes Meet the Woo and Meet the Woo 2, which launched his career and established his sound.
What producers worked most closely with Pop Smoke?
Key producers in Pop Smoke’s catalog include 808Melo, Rico Beats, ANOM, and Czar Jackson. Steven Victor and Republic Records shaped the posthumous album productions, bringing in a wider range of collaborators including Travis Scott, who contributed to the sonic direction of Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon.
Why did Pop Smoke’s music resonate so strongly after his death?
Pop Smoke’s tragic passing at 20 years old in February 2020 deepened the emotional resonance of his catalog. His music captured a raw authenticity and a voice unlike anything else in hip-hop, and the posthumous releases allowed listeners to connect with an artist whose potential felt genuinely unlimited. His recordings continue to attract new listeners in 2026 who discover his work through streaming platforms and social media.
What makes Pop Smoke’s voice distinctive?
Pop Smoke possessed an unusually deep, gravelly baritone that was remarkably rare for a rapper of his age. Combined with his Brooklyn accent and deliberate, unhurried delivery style, his voice carried a natural authority and weight that producers and collaborators often described as immediately recognizable within seconds of hearing it.