Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon // Pop Smoke – Naomi Akintola
Released: 3 July 2020
Released post-mortem, this album brought together a separated community. A real sense of unity ignited and flared on for weeks as Pop Smoke’s lyrics preached on love, respect for women (often rare in the rap/pop genre) and unison. His album brought on a new twist to the long established genre, bringing a refreshing take.
But with Bashar Barakah Jackson’s tragic and avoidable death, this album also reminded us music lovers to appreciate and live each day we are granted. Especially in the reality of the pandemic. People from all over the world gathered online to celebrate and mourn the mastermind behind the lyrics. It became a staple of conversation besides the daily news about COVID-19 and created a unique capsule in which listening parties were hosted online. Bringing us together in a world where it’s safer to be apart.
This spectacular effect re-emerged on the anniversary of his birthday and annual Spotify Wrapped analysis, re-igniting the notion that we should check on each other just as we had when his album was released earlier in the year.