Canarsie residents gathered for Pop Smoke Day to honor the legacy of the late-rapper from Brooklyn. \n<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people on July 20 gathered at Canarsie Park to celebrate Pop Smoke Day,\u00a0an annual event honoring the late rapper Pop Smoke.<\/p>\n
The Brooklyn-native, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, was a chart topping rapper who helped popularize Brooklyn drill, a subgenre of Hip-Hop that became recognized internationally. He was born in Canarsie and frequently referred to his Brooklyn upbringing in his music, referring to his neighborhood as \u201cThe floss.\u201d He was fatally shot when he was 20 years old in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Since his death in 2020, the Shoot For The Stars Foundation<\/a>, led by his mother\u00a0Audrey Jackson, has hosted a community celebration on his birthday, bringing people together to honor his life, music\u00a0and legacy.<\/p>\n The day began with a parade featuring drumlines, exotic cars, and speeches by local elected officials. The procession ended at Canarsie Park, where basketball games, free haircuts, and live performances kept the celebration going.<\/p>\n Community organizations, including the Hebrew Educational Society<\/a>, the E.N.O.U.G.H. Initiative<\/a>, and the Confidence Initiative<\/a>, were on hand to connect residents with resources and services.<\/p>\n Jackson said she is happy to see that her son\u2019s music career had a lasting impact on Brooklyn’s youth.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to do something, go for it,\u201d said Jackson. \u201cJust make up your mind and go for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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