The late rapper Pop Smoke had cancelled a New York gig just days before his murder because of concerns over gang members in the audience.
According to social media posts unearthed by TMZ, Pop Smoke was due to perform at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on 16 February, but he claimed the New York Police Department forced him to abort the performance.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “I apologize to all my fans that went to Kings Theater [sic] today to see me. Unfortunately NYPD wouldn’t let me perform once again but dont [sic] worry ima make it up.”
Despite this, the final decision to call off the concert is belived to have been the rapper’s own.
Last week (19 February), Pop Smoke – whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson - was shot and killed by multiple masked men in his Los Angeles house. Reports suggest that police believe the murder is related to the 20-year-old’s ties to the LA-based Crips gang.
The Brooklyn-born artist was praised for bridging the gap between UK drill and New York hip-hop.
His 2019 single “Welcome to the Party” was a viral hit and was remixed by Skepta and Nicki Minaj.
