50 Cent Shares Emotional Tribute to Pop Smoke While Reflecting on Their Bond
50 Cent honored Pop Smoke with a heartfelt Instagram post, recalling their resemblance and shared last name. The tribute highlights the lasting respect 50 still holds for the late rapper and his role in preserving Pop Smoke’s legacy.
0 Cent played a major behind-the-scenes role in helping Pop Smoke’s posthumous music reach fans, and it’s clear that his connection to the late Brooklyn rapper still runs deep. Recently, the G-Unit mogul took to Instagram to share a touching tribute that reflected on their bond and mutual respect. The post featured a side-by-side photo of 50 Cent and Pop Smoke working out in the gym, highlighting their physical similarities. In the caption, 50 recalled a moment they shared together. “Man, I looked at Pop and said, ‘What’s your mother’s name?’” he wrote. “We kinda look the same. He started laughing and said, ‘I know.’ R.I.P. And we had the same last name.” The message suggested that Curtis Jackson viewed Bashar Jackson as more than just a fellow artist—possibly like family, or even a son figure. While some fans in the comments referenced 50 Cent’s strained relationship with his biological son, the post itself stood as a sincere moment of remembrance and respect rather than a comparison. Amid ongoing industry drama and public feuds, the tribute served as a reminder of a quieter, more reflective side of 50 Cent. Taking time to honor Pop Smoke’s memory appeared to offer a pause from the usual negativity surrounding his name. Last year, 50 Cent also spoke openly about his involvement with Pop Smoke’s posthumous releases and the responsibility he felt in guiding the young rapper’s career. In an interview with Kris Kaylin, he explained that Pop looked to him for direction and trusted his advice. “I just wanted to make sure that his record did what it was supposed to do,” 50 said. He went on to reflect on the realities of success and environment, noting that no matter how far he rose in music, he was still affected by the same conditions around him. Speaking on Pop Smoke’s ambitions, 50 revealed that the rapper once told him he wanted to take his mother to an award show—an idea that stuck with him deeply. Beyond producing the music, 50 Cent emphasized that he personally handled much of the promotion to ensure the project succeeded. “They would’ve just put it out and you’d have to find it on your own,” he explained, highlighting how invested he was in making sure Pop Smoke’s legacy was handled with care. As fans continue to revisit Pop Smoke’s music, moments like this show that the respect and sense of responsibility surrounding his legacy remain strong—especially from those who helped shape his rise.
