Pop Smoke’s Mom Slams Media Interviews with Alleged Killer

Audrey Jackson, the mother of late rapper Pop Smoke, has voiced her disapproval of the media attention given to her son’s alleged killer, King “Blockstar” Raskel. Speaking with TMZ on Thursday, July 18, Jackson called the interviews “horrible” and questioned their purpose.

“For something like this, that is horrible. You really want to interview him and get his opinion, get his position? First of all, you’re not a helping hand,” she stated. Jackson expressed concern about the impact of such media coverage, suggesting it undermines the potential for reform and instead glamorizes the crime.

Pop Smoke’s murder was back in the headlines earlier this month when Raskel was released from custody. In a controversial interview with No Jumper’s Adam22, Raskel, who was 15 at the time of the 2020 murder, showed no remorse. “I’m not sorry about nothing,” he said. “People die every day. [Pop Smoke] was rapping about it. All types of stuff. So, I ain’t sorry about it.”

In response, Jackson addressed these “disrespectful” comments during a conversation with Hot 97’s TT Torez. While she admitted she hadn’t watched the interview, Jackson said, “I’m not tuned into that. It’s not a part of my world. I have people who will come and say, ‘Have you heard?’ They’ll hit me up and say, ‘Ma, you okay?’”

Jackson emphasized the emotional toll these interviews take on her and highlighted the futility of Raskel’s attitude. “The bottom line is, your life is over. His life is finished. He’s living, but if that’s his approach to what he’s done, life is done for him.”

Via @nojumper @adam22#Blockstar says he’s not sorry about being involved in the m**der of #PopSmoke. 👀 pic.twitter.com/MIVq8DNhtb

— BUZZWORLD777 (@BUZZWORLD777) July 12, 2024