( ENSPIRE Music ) Jhené Aiko and the Late Pop Smoke Join Tyga to Create a 2000s-Inspired Single “Sunshine”
ENSPIRE Contributor: Abigail Elcock
Today, Tyga released the official music video for a brand new single, “Sunshine” featuring Jhené Aiko and Pop Smoke. Both the visuals and the music itself have an undeniable 2000s feel to them. This romantic, soft song differs from Tyga’s usual “twerk anthem or party track.”
One of Tyga’s big inspirations behind the new song was, of course, Pop Smoke who performs a verse posthumously. The late rapper Bashar Barakah Jackson was killed in a home invasion on February 19, 2020. Pop Smoke’s death left an unfillable hole in the hearts of family, friends, and fans.
Since his passing, Pop Smoke’s brother Obasi Jackson and mother Audrey Jackson created the Shoot for the Stars Foundation (STSF). “Shoot for the Stars” was a saying Bashar Barakah Jackson lived by. His goal was to make sure young people had access to resources, opportunities, and inspirational mentoring to achieve their full potential. Now, the STSF does all it can to keep Pop Smoke’s mission alive.
“Sunshine” is the latest vessel for sharing Smoke’s vision with the world. At the end of the music video, Obasi and Audrey Jackson make an appearance. “We just wanna keep the legacy going,” Obasi says with a smile. “Shout out to Tyga for allowing Pop to have a new breath. A new song to come out. We’re just so excited to be a part of this process.” Audrey joins in with a resounding thank you.
The project meant a lot to Tyga personally as well. “Pop Smoke was a legend in the making, and I wish we could’ve collaborated together more,” Tyga reminisces. “It’s been a great experience working with his mother and brother to pay homage with this song and contributing to keeping his legacy alive—the smoke will never clear.”
You can listen to “Sunshine” now! It’s available on Amazon Music, Apple Music, SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube, and more.
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