Pop Smoke’s “Welcome to the Party” became an explosive summer hit and gave him a real chance to leave the street hustle behind. By mid-February 2020, Pop Smoke’s mixtape “Meet the Woo 2” broke into the Billboard Top 10. He was signed to Republic Music with a top management team and had upcoming sold-out concert dates.
Then on February 19, multiple gunmen broke into the Hollywood Hills home Pop Smoke was renting, entering through a bedroom balcony, and shot Pop Smoke dead. Sources say it was a targeted hit, not a robbery. He made no secret of his gang affiliation but the motive is still not known.
LISA EVERS, Host and Executive Producer, Street Soldiers
PANEL:
DANNY SU, CEO, AMG & RGF Music
DJ DREWSKI, Hot 97 Personality and Music Producer
CHUCK CREEKMUR, CEO, Allhiphop.com
Social media can make any two people in a relationship look like the perfect couple, but the reality is often far more complicated. So how can we tell when the picture is telling a real story?
STREET SOLDERS’ Lisa Evers sits down with clinical therapist Elisa English and hip-hop artist and TV personality Peter Gunz to discuss how relationships appear online and how they are in reality.
Street Soldiers takes a look at the legacy of Kobe Bryant and the role that African-American athletes play in American culture.
STREET SOLDIERS sits down with former NBA player William “Smush” Parker, former ESPN anchor Prim Siripipat and former NFL player Jay Alford to discuss Bryant’s life and legacy and more.
It’s the time of the year for giving back. Many are choosing to make this a meaningful holiday season. But some are taking it a step further and by helping others are transforming lives. Hip hop’s big heart is on display this season.
Volunteers from Run-iT-Up Recordings wrapped toys to be donated to 200 special-needs children in East New York, Brooklyn. It is where hip hop artist Phresher partners with Street Soldiers to make the holiday bright for children who may otherwise get nothing.
“I love people and even more so I love kids—they’re just so innocent,” Phresher said. “So watching them smile and their hearts warm, it makes me melt.”
Fox 5’s own Audrey Puente makes giving back an annual family affair with her daughter Santana and their Layers of Love coat drive.
At Hot 97, Street Soldiers’ Aaniya Johnson and interns wrapped toys donated by the Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation for 97 kids in a Bronx after-school program.
It started with a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway by reformed Bloods and Crips and their family members. And was a big success.
“If we come together we can actually really get things done. We don’t have to come together in some violent situation,” said Kayo So Frosty, a filmmaker and reformed gang member. “We can come together and make everything a positive situation.”
Frosty has partnered with one of the original founders of the Bloods, Soul B., along with his wife Esha Jay. They’re now turning to a Christmas toy and clothing drive with big plans to increase the peace and spread the love.
One of the wonderful things all these efforts have in common is that all the individuals are concerned with making things better for the generation coming up.
LISA EVERS, Host and Executive Producer, Street Soldiers https://twitter.com/lisaevers