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The posthumous new Pop Smoke album will have its artwork changed after fans reacted negatively to its unveiling, the late rapper’s manager has confirmed.
The debut studio album by the rapper born Bashar Barakah Jackson, who was killed on February 19 this year at the age of 20, is set for release on Friday (July 3).
The original artwork for the album was shared by Steven Victor, the head of the Victor Victor label imprint who worked closely with Pop Smoke during his career, last night (June 29).
Victor explained on Instagram that designer Virgil Abloh “designed the album cover and led creative” as per Smoke’s wishes while he was alive.
However, the album artwork was greeted with ridicule on social media by a number of the late rapper’s fans, and a petition to change the artwork, which also accused Abloh of laziness, has since attracted over 17,000 signatures.
I’m not for cancelling people man, but Virgil needs to be stopped. We’ve had enough. He was better off doing this. pic.twitter.com/s52HEx5S0X
— Macc McCray
(@MaccMcCray) June 29, 2020
Imma keep it two virgils … Virgil Abloh needs to be arrested for this pic.twitter.com/Kzy5qUxoMD
— Two 𝓥 (@Tw0Virgils) June 29, 2020
virgil abloh be like pic.twitter.com/4sY38nLWLY
— ultralightbeam MIAMI YEEZUS BLONDED WHITE FERRARI (@MIAMIULTRRA) June 29, 2020
Victor later tweeted “heard you”, “making a change” and “Pop would listen to his fans!” and added in a since-deleted Instagram post that “as pop’s label & as his friends/family, it is our obligation to bring his vision to life. He wanted Virgil to lead creative, we fulfilled his wishes however, unfortunately, he’s not here to give his final approval his fans, are.
“You know why you love pop, your voices are loud and clear he loved his fans and listened to his fans, pop and us at victor victor h e a r d you l o u d and clear – changes will be made see you July 3rd 2020.”
H E A R D YOU
— Steven-San Victor (@StevenVictor) June 30, 2020
MAKING A CHANGE
— Steven-San Victor (@StevenVictor) June 30, 2020
POP WOULD LISTEN TO HIS FANS
— Steven-San Victor (@StevenVictor) June 30, 2020
While the record is still officially untitled (although ‘Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon’ has been widely rumoured to be the choice of title), its full tracklist has now been announced. As well as guest features from Quavo, Future and Roddy Ricch, the record will also see collaborations with the likes of DaBaby, Swae Lee, 50 Cent and Lil Baby.
You can see the tracklist for Pop Smoke’s debut album below.
1. Bad Bitch From Tokyo (Intro) (prod. by 808Melo)
2. Aim For the Moon [ft. Quavo] (prod. by 808Melo and WondaGurl)
3. For the Night [ft. Lil Baby & DaBaby] (prod. by CashmoneyAP and Palaze)
4. 44 Bulldog (prod. by Mobz and Mora)
5. Gangstas (prod. by Swirv & CashmoneyAP)
6. Yea Yea (prod. by HakzBeats)
7. Creature. [ft. Swae Lee] (prod. by 808Melo)
8. Snitchin [ft. Quavo & Future] (prod. by Buddah Bless & SethTheChef)
9. Make It Rain. [ft. Rowdy Rebel] (prod. by Yamaica)
10. The Woo. [ft. 50 Cent & Roddy Ricch] (prod. by 808Melo)
11. West Coast Shit. [ft. Tyga & Quavo] (prod. by DJ Mustard and Bongo)
12. Enjoy Yourself [ft. Karol G] (prod. by Palaze & Luci G)
13. Hotel Lobby (prod. by 808Melo & Jess Jackson)
14. What You Know Bout Love (prod. by Tash)
15. Something Special (prod. by Duro)
16. Diana [ft. King Combs] (prod. by SpunkBigga)
17. Got It on Me (prod. by Young Devante)
18. Tunnel Vision (Outro) (prod. by 808Melo, Nagra & Carson Hackney)
19. Dior (Bonus) (prod. by 808Melo)
“He said to me he wanted to take his mother to an award show,” 50 continued. “I would like to be able to do that.”
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