Overview

Bashar Barakah Jackson (July 20, 1999 – February 19, 2020), known professionally as Pop Smoke, was an American rapper and songwriter. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, he rose to fame with the release of his 2019 singles ‘Welcome to the Party’ and ‘Dior’. He was considered by many to be the face of Brooklyn drill. Pop Smoke’s music career took off quickly. He began his musical career in late 2018 with his debut single ‘Mpr (Panic Part 3 Remix)’. His debut mixtape ‘Meet the Woo’ was released in July 2019. His second mixtape, ‘Meet the Woo 2’, was released on February 7, 2020, and debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200. Twelve days after the mixtape’s release, Pop Smoke was murdered during a home invasion in Los Angeles. Pop Smoke’s sudden death was a massive loss for the music world. Even after his death, his influence in the music industry remains strong.

What Is Pop Smoke’s Net Worth?

At the time of his tragic death in February 2020, American rapper and songwriter Pop Smoke had a net worth of approximately $2 million. This valuation was primarily derived from his burgeoning music career, which, although cut short, showed significant promise and generated income through various avenues including record sales, streaming royalties, and live performances.

Early Career and Musical Releases

Pop Smoke’s rise to fame began with the release of his debut mixtape, “Meet the Woo,” in 2019, under the Victor Victor and Republic Records labels. The mixtape gained traction, introducing his unique sound to a wider audience and establishing him as a rising star in the hip-hop scene. Following this initial success, he released “Meet the Woo 2” in 2020, also under Victor Victor and Republic Records. This second mixtape proved to be even more successful, reaching #7 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, #9 in Canada, and #22 in the United Kingdom. The chart performance of “Meet the Woo 2” significantly contributed to Pop Smoke’s growing net worth by generating substantial revenue from record sales and streaming royalties. While specific figures for these sales and royalties are not publicly available, the album’s chart positions indicate a considerable income stream.

Singles and Collaborations

Beyond his mixtapes, Pop Smoke’s singles also contributed to his financial success. His song “Welcome to the Party,” featuring either Nicki Minaj or Skepta, reached #5 on the US Bubbling Under chart and #48 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Similarly, his single “Dior” achieved even greater success, reaching #1 on the US Bubbling Under chart and #49 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The success of these singles translated into revenue through digital downloads, streaming platforms, and radio airplay. Pop Smoke also engaged in collaborations with numerous other artists, including Lil Tjay, Charlie Sloth, Caliboy, H.E.R., Boogie wit da Hoodie, Chris Brown, JackBoys, Travis Scott, and Quavo. While the specific financial details of these collaborations are not publicly disclosed, it is reasonable to assume that Pop Smoke received compensation for his contributions, further adding to his overall net worth. These collaborations would have been structured via recording contracts detailing royalty splits and advance payments, common practice within the music industry. Specific terms of these contracts are not publicly available, preventing a detailed breakdown of earnings per collaboration. It is common for artists to receive an advance payment upon signing a contract or agreeing to a collaboration, with these advances recoupable against future royalties earned. This means Pop Smoke would have had initial cash infusions from these deals. The exact amounts remain confidential.

Impact of Streaming and Digital Sales

The digital landscape of music distribution significantly impacted Pop Smoke’s income. Streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music played a crucial role in generating royalties. While the exact per-stream royalty rates vary and are dependent on his contractual agreements with his labels and the streaming services, the high volume of streams his tracks received translated into substantial revenue. Industry averages indicate royalty rates are fractions of a cent per stream, yet with millions of streams across his catalog, the cumulative effect significantly bolstered his earnings. Digital downloads through platforms like iTunes also contributed, although download sales generally constitute a smaller portion of revenue compared to streaming in the modern music industry. Detailed, audited statements of Pop Smoke’s streaming and download figures and the corresponding royalties earned are not publicly accessible, which prevents a precise calculation of income derived from these sources. It is known that major label contracts like those held by Pop Smoke stipulate a royalty percentage for the artist, typically after recoupment of advances and recording costs. The level of recoupment Pop Smoke had achieved by the time of his death is not public knowledge, affecting a definitive conclusion regarding his earnings.

Live Performances and Touring Potential

Although his career was tragically short, Pop Smoke’s increasing popularity led to live performance opportunities. Concerts and live shows are a significant source of income for musicians, allowing them to earn revenue through ticket sales and merchandise. While there is limited public information available regarding the specific number of shows Pop Smoke performed and the revenue generated from those performances, it is known that he had begun to perform at various venues and festivals. Given his rising star status, it is likely that his performance fees were increasing, and that he was poised to embark on more extensive tours, which could have significantly boosted his net worth in the future. The potential income from touring was substantial, and his untimely death prevented him from realizing this potential. Tour deals often involve guarantees, percentages of ticket sales, and merchandise revenue splits. Without specific data related to Pop Smoke’s touring contracts and performed shows, it is impossible to precisely quantify the revenue generated or projected from this source.

Other Potential Revenue Streams

While Pop Smoke’s primary source of income was his music, it is possible that he had other potential revenue streams, such as merchandise sales or endorsement deals. Many artists supplement their income by selling branded merchandise, such as clothing and accessories, to their fans. Additionally, some artists secure endorsement deals with companies to promote their products or services. However, there is no publicly available information to confirm whether Pop Smoke engaged in these activities or the extent to which they contributed to his net worth. These ancillary revenue streams, while potentially contributing to his overall financial picture, were likely overshadowed by his music-related income, particularly given the early stage of his career.

Net Worth Summary

In conclusion, Pop Smoke’s $2 million net worth at the time of his death reflected his rapid rise in the music industry and the success he achieved in a short period. His earnings were primarily derived from record sales, streaming royalties, and live performances, with potential contributions from merchandise sales and endorsement deals. While specific financial details are limited, his chart-topping mixtapes, popular singles, and collaborations with other artists all contributed to his growing net worth. His tragic passing cut short a promising career and prevented him from realizing his full financial potential.

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