It is evident that the loss has been hitting hard. One could imagine that 50 Cent saw a younger version himself in the rapper who passed away last Wednesday (Feb. 19). Not only did Pop also hail from New York City, but he entered the rap game with the same voracity as Fifty had back in the early 2000’s. They both broke through with instantly-recognizable and ferocious voices. They both served as harbingers new eras New York hip-hop. All these reasons could make sense why  since his death. 

His latest tribute to the fallen star was wearing a t-shirt with a photo Pop Smoke with a halo above his head screen-printed onto it. “i’m rocking dat young gangsta drip, New york New york,” 50 wrote in the caption his Instagram post. 

This loss is surely made even harder for 50 due to him having developed a personal relationship with Pop Smoke. He shared a photo the two them together at a Super Bowl party, writing, “No such thing as success with out jealousy. Treachery comes from those who are close.” The television producer’s initial reaction to Pop’s passing also intimated his belief that Pop was targeted out envy. “No sympathy for winners,” he lamented in another post. 

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