In an interview with Hot 97, Audrey Jackson—the mother of the late emcee Pop Smoke (real name Bashar Barakah Jackson) discussed her son’s death. In addition, she also talked about the infamous No Jumper podcast interview with Pop Smoke’s alleged killer.
Earlier this month, one of the rapper’s alleged killers who goes by the moniker Blockstar was released from prison after serving a four-year juvenile sentence after pleading guilty. In 2020, Pop Smoke was killed in his Los Angeles rental house during a home invasion.
Earlier this month, Blockstar went on the No Jumper podcast for an interview to talk about the case shortly after his release. When asked if she saw the interview, Jackson stated: “I’m not tuned into that. It’s not apart of my world. I have people who will come and say ‘have you heard’? They’ll hit me up and say ‘ma you okay?’
Jackson continued: “I’ve been told he’s been interviewing and being disrespectfu. I gotta let that go because that’ll eat me up- I gotta let that go. The bottomline is your life is over. His life is finished. He’s living but if that’s his approach to what he’s done, life is done for him.”
After her son’s death, Jackson started the Shoot for the Stars Foundation which celebrates the life and legacy of Pop Smoke. “This foundation is committed to transforming the lives of young people through creative engagement, education, access to technology and inspirational, global experiences,” Jackson said.
“We hand-selected a number of young, fashion designers and the results were absolutely phenomenal! We had to bring them with us to Valencia to show this collaboration to the world.”
Jackson also said through her work with the foundation, young people will continue to be inspired by her late son’s creativity.