In the brief flash of brilliance that was Pop Smoke’s career, the late rapper illuminated the world of hip hop with a flair that was as promising as it was raw. His discography, although tragically cut short, charts a progression from the gritty underbelly of Brooklyn’s drill scene to the precipice of global superstardom.
Pop’s rap career officially began with Meet the Woo , which marked a pivotal point not only in Pop’s trajectory but also the broader narrative of Brooklyn drill music. The project straddled the delicate line between influences from the raw Chicago sound and stark London beats, infusing life into the genre with tracks like “Welcome to the Party” and “Hawk Em”. The sequel, Meet the Woo 2 , solidified Pop Smoke’s status as the torchbearer of Brooklyn’s drill revolution. His signature blend of raw vocals juxtaposed against foot-tapping, electronic beats carved out a compelling sonic landscape.
With Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon , his first posthumous release following his untimely death at the beginning of 2020, Pop Smoke showcased his capacity to soar beyond the confines of drill music. Then there’s Faith , Pop’s second posthumous release that, unfortunately, seemed to lose the essence of the late Brooklyn rapper.
So let’s get into it. From his 2019 debut mixtape, Meet the Woo , to his landmark posthumous release, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon , we rank every Pop Smoke album, from worst to best.
Faith
Released: July 16, 2021
Label: Victor Victor, Republic
Singles: “Mr. Jones”, “Demeanor”, “Woo Baby”, “Bad Boys”
Features: Kanye West, Pusha T, Rick Ross, The-Dream, 42 Dugg, 21 Savage, Rah Swish, Travi, Beam, The Neptunes, Bizzy Banks, Takeoff, Lil Tjay, Swae Lee, Future, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, Quavo, and Kodak Black.
Faith , the second posthumous release from the gone-too-soon Pop Smoke, seems to fall into the dreaded trap of the post-death album makeover, with the booming sound of the departed MC often taking a backseat. Instead of his signature sound booming from the speakers, Pop feels more like a ghost in his own celebration. A betrayal of the sonic legacy, the album sports a plethora of tunes that have undergone a disconcerting overhaul, leaving Pop’s original gang of collaborators high and dry. The end product is a mish-mash of tracks where the Brooklyn rapper feels more like a shadow than the main event. The glaring absence of key collaborators like 808Melo, YozBeats, and Swirv leaves an unshakeable hollowness. The tracklist is peppered with guest features that try to fill the void, and while the likes of Takeoff, Rick Ross, Rah Swish, Bizzy Banks, and Lil Tjay provide some moments of salvation, they are mere drops in an ocean of disappointment. Most of the tracks are allegedly victims of posthumous meddling, making Faith a regrettable detour from the late drill rapper’s original vision.
Meet the Woo
Released: July 26, 2019
Label: Victor Victor, Republic
Singles: “Welcome to the Party”, “Meet the Woo”, “Dior”
Features: N/A
Meet the Woo marked a seminal point in Pop Smoke’s rap journey and the broader narrative of Brooklyn drill music. By dropping this landmark release, Pop took on the mammoth task of becoming the face of the sub-genre in the mainstream, and his music resonates with the complex interplay between the gritty Chicago sound and the stark London vibes that defined the scene. Meet the Woo really hits its stride when Pop expertly melds these contrasting influences, as exemplified by the banger “Welcome to the Party” and the standout “Hawk Em.” Despite exhibiting sparks of promise that could drive the genre forward, Meet the Woo delivered an inconsistent snapshot of Brooklyn’s pulsating drill scene, tainted by recycled tropes and musical inconsistencies.
Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon
Released: July 3, 2020
Label: Victor Victor, Republic
Singles: “Make It Rain”, “The Woo”, “Mood Swings”, “For the Night”, “What You Know Bout Love”, “Hello”
Features: Quavo, Lil Baby, DaBaby, Swae Lee, Future, Rowdy Rebel, 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch, Tyga, Karol G, Lil Tjay, and King Combs.
Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon hits the sweet spot where Pop Smoke’s raw talent underwent a stylish makeover, showcasing his capacity to push the boundaries of the untamed drill genre. Despite early skepticism surrounding the release, the posthumous album stood as a testament to the superstar Pop was fast becoming. It was Pop’s versatility and determination that resulted in a captivating albeit overcrowded body of work. While it flourished with Pop’s riveting performance, the album often stumbled due to inconsistent guest features. Quavo’s presence, though understandable given their previous collaborations and rumored joint project, often felt flat and out of sync with Pop’s energy. Moreover, the absence of the late rapper’s Brooklyn peers in favor of more trendy MCs for their fanbases rather than musical chemistry left a noticeable gap. While some features like Lil Baby melded well, others like Quavo and Lil TJay felt discordant. Tracks like “Gangstas” and “Got It On Me” carried the unmistakable imprint of the veteran rapper. Nevertheless, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon provided a glimpse into the artist Pop was destined to become, transcending the bounds of Brooklyn and drill music, promising a global icon in the making.
Meet the Woo 2
Released: February 7, 2020
Label: Victor Victor, Republic
Singles: “Christopher Walking”, “Shake the Room”
Features: Quavo, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Fivio Foreign, Lil Tjay, Nav, Gunna, and PnB Rock.
Meet the Woo 2 was Pop Smoke planting his flag in the ground as the trailblazer of the Brooklyn drill revolution. This mixtape not only underlined Pop’s irresistible charm but also held the torch high for New York drill. His trademark blend of raw vocal prowess with foot-tapping, synthetic beats birthed an unexpectedly compelling sonic landscape. “Get Back,” whipped up by London-based 808Melo, personified this successful marriage of sound. Pop’s delivery, a riveting cocktail of intensity and groove, intertwined seamlessly with the producer’s rhythm, setting off an audio firework that’s hard to forget. However, the album’s run sometimes hit a snag with its collaborations. Tunes like “Foreigner” featuring A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and “Shake The Room” featuring Quavo felt like odd puzzle pieces in an otherwise seamless picture, tarnishing the album’s overall harmony. Looking back, Meet the Woo 2 carries a hauntingly beautiful sadness. It stands as a melancholic monument to Pop Smoke’s untapped promise, a life cruelly snuffed out before it could fully bloom. Despite the grim conclusion, Meet the Woo 2 shines as an enduring homage to a rising star, echoing the influence Pop Smoke wielded in his brief but resonant career.
