Pop Smoke’s estate has released the late drill rapper’s “Make It Rain:” the lead single from Smoke’s upcoming LP, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. Released through Republic Records, the track also offers a surprise feature from incarcerated GS9 rapper and fellow Brooklyn-native, Rowdy Rebel via a grainy collect call from prison. Before his untimely death, Pop Smoke’s ear for a hook and booming, attention-drawing vocals on tracks like “Welcome to the Party” and “Dior” shifted the landscape of the New York rap scene, centering focus to Brooklyn and its take on Chicago drill. Frequent collaborations with UK drill producers precipitated into Meet the Woo and last year’s Meet the Woo 2, elevating his image from Canarsie cult hero to national visibility.
The same tools that built that movement are in full effect with “Make it Rain.” A spectral, barebones instrumental allows the vocals to shine in hook after hook ripe with abrasion and personality. Dutch beatmaker and producer Yamaica lets twinkling synth leads bubble beneath blown-out bass in what feels like a fully idealized track completed before Smoke’s passing.
Due to a now-famous plea deal made by fellow GS9 affiliate, Bobby Schmurda, Rowdy Rebel is set to be released December 15th of this year. In the meantime, Shoot For the Stars, Aim For The Moon has been rescheduled for July 3rd after being pushed back in respect for the Black Lives Movement and national protests. 50 Cent has connected to the release and has the executive producer to fulfill a promise made to Smoke’s mother two weeks after his death. There isn’t a definitive tracklist or known features for the project, but it is available for pre-order on his website along with a merch run with the cover art.
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