The estate of Pop Smoke has signed a co-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, the global music publishing company of Warner Music Group. The agreement covers all of the late rapper’s music, including his upcoming debut album.
“Pop meant so much to so many people across the world,” Warner Chappell Music President of A&R, U.S., Ryan Press said in a press release. “At a young age, he became the prominent emerging voice on the New York rap scene, helping to bring it back to the forefront. Pop was deeply connected to the culture and well on his way to becoming one of the best artists of his generation. I had the honor of meeting him, and I’m personally committed to doing everything I can to support the Jackson family and Steven Victor in keeping Pop’s legacy alive.”
The estate of Pop added, “We are very pleased and proud to entrust the protection and enhancement of Pop Smoke’s music to Ryan Press and the rest of the Warner Chappell team. Our new alliance with the company and its vast global resources will significantly support the family’s efforts to preserve Pop Smoke’s legacy and musical impact among his fans and the world.”
Pop was shot and killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles on February 19. The slain artist, whose real name was Bashar Jackson, was 20 years old.
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Just a few weeks before his death, Pop dropped a mixtape titled Meet The Woo 2. His first studio album, Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon, will be posthumously released on July 3.
The project is coming to fans through Republic Records and Victor Victor Worldwide, the imprint of Pop and Pusha T’s manager Steven Victor. Pop’s debut LP was originally scheduled to arrive on June 12 but was pushed back due to the widespread protests precipitated by the police killing of George Floyd.
Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon is available now for pre-order.
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