The late, highly-esteemed New York rapper Pop Smoke scored a prestigious award at The Billboard’s Music Awards yesterday. He won the category for Top Billboard 200 Album with his project, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. His mother accepted the award on his behalf.
“I thank you to the fans for honoring the life and spirit of my son, so much that he continues to manifest as if he were still here in the flesh,” she said. “He created music for the kid who has to sleep four in a room, the kid who has to figure out how to get to school each day so he can graduate and make his mom proud. He did this so that 14-year-olds would not have to kill to prove they are somebody.”
“That is the irony in this, so thank you to the Billboard Awards leadership for honoring my young warrior,” she continued. “Bashar Barakah Jackson, we call your name.”
Other nominees for the award include another late rapper, Juice WRLD, for Legends Never Die. Billboard also added Lil Baby‘s My Turn, Taylor Swift‘s Folklore, and The Weeknd‘s After Hours to the list of nominees.
For the complete list of winners and nominees from the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, click here.
