Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon | Album Review 💿

Pop Smoke, who was killed on February 19, 2020, lives on through his enjoyable, posthumous debut album, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon.

It’s always devastating when someone loses their life to a gun.  It’s even more devastating when that person is merely 20 years old.  Pop Smoke was destined to be ‘the next big thing’ in hip-hop, yet was shot and killed before dropping his debut album.  Mixtapes released in advance of Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon showed tremendous potential from the rapper, who was crafting his own unique brand of drill music.  Sadly, the talent won’t ever be fully realized, but his posthumously released album gives us an idea of what a career cut short might’ve sounded like. 

“Aim for the Moon” 

Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon commences with “Bad Bitch from Tokyo (Intro).” As an intro, it sets the tone with Pop Smoke rapping one drippy, tough-minded verse. That said, no one would’ve blinked an eye had the album launched with ✓ “Aim for the Moon.” This is one thrilling banger, no questions asked.  The production is sleek with six credited producers. Smoke is on autopilot, particularly on the catchy, melodic chorus. Quavo recaptures some of his magic, feeling like the perfect fit as a collaborator. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to call “Aim for the Stars” the crowning achievement.

✓ “For the Night” brings along two ‘babies’: Lil Baby and DaBaby.  Focusing on the star, Pop Smoke serves up another notable chorus and delivers the first verse.  The subject matter? Sex and drip – nothing game changing. Lil Baby and DaBaby follow suit, with Lil Baby more focused on drip on the second verse, while DaBaby is much raunchier – more sexed-up on the third verse.

A trio of three solo cuts follows. The brief and dark “44 BullDog” showcases those hard-nosed, deep vocals Pop is renowned for.  “Gangstas” is also in a minor key, but the use of piano that brightens the sound more.  “I be in New York with the gangsters / Know a nigga that’ll shoot you for a ‘Tander,’” he asserts on the chorus.  Had he not mentioned New York, “Gangstas” exemplifies the East Coast sound.  “Yea Yea” is the longest of the trio, though still, it just crosses the three-minute-mark. As with the rest of Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, six tracks in, the production remains slick, providing a great foundation for Pop to ‘go to work.’ “Yea Yea” shows him bringing both heat and coolness over the smooth backdrop.

“Creature” 

Following a trio of solo joints, the next seven songs feature various collaborators.  Swae Lee joins Pop Smoke on “Creature” or, actually, does Pop actually join Swae? I say that because there’s a heaping dose of Lee – too much!  The chorus is so-so at best, performed by the mellower half of Rae Sremmurd.  The verse that Pop delivers is worthwhile, segueing from Swae’s verse.  Quavo makes his second guest appearance on ✓ “Snitching,” with Future jumping in as well. A four-verse affair, Quavo secures the first two, as well as the chorus. It’s a lot of Quavo, but regardless, he’s far more effective than Lee on “Creature.” Pop makes his first and only appearance on the third verse worthwhile, with Future capping things off on an agile fourth verse: “I’m Evil Knievel, these n***as some divas / I’m really havin’ more hits than The Beatles.”

“I make it rain on whoever / I make it rain, that Woo weather / Bitch, I’m a dog, a blue devil / I got the hoes like Hugh Hefner.” Smoke is on autopilot on standout ✓ “Make it Rain”, the album’s promo single. First and foremost, “Make it Rain” features banging production by Yamaica. The synths are hellish, with the beat anchoring down things down.  As evidenced by the aforementioned chorus, Smoke is tough AF.  His rhymes are hard-nosed and unapologetic.  “Look, ain’t no apology / These n***as doubted me, I keep a pole tucked,” he raps on the first verse, continuing, “Run up, catch a cold cut / Put his head on his shoulder.” Rowdy Rebel guests on the second verse, which was recorded via phone from prison. The quality of the verse isn’t great because of this, but Rowdy is certainly ‘rowdy.’

“The Woo”

You can’t have a Pop Smoke album without ✓ “The Woo,” period! “The Woo” features 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch, but not before the catchy chorus by Smoke (“She wanna fuck with the Woo”).  Ricch and 50 Cent perform the first and second verses respectively, while Smoke pays ode to Fiddy on the third and final verse, referencing “Candy Shop” and “Hate it or Love it”.  After East and West Coast come together, we move on to exclusive ✓ “West Coast Shit,” featuring Tyga and Quavo (for the third time). Tyga is the sole performer from the West Coast… Regardless, producers Mustard and Bongo ByTheWay help solidify that West Coast sound with positive results.  Tyga rides the beat like a pro which isn’t surprising considering multiple collaborations with Mustard.

“Enjoy Yourself” changes pace, bringing in Colombian singer KAROL G to the fold.  The sound and vibe sexy, amplified by the guitars, those smooth (still deep) vocals by Pop Smoke, and of course the Spanish from KAROL.  “Mood Swings” is the seventh of seven consecutive tracks featuring guest artists. Lil Tjay joins Smoke here.  Like “Enjoy Yourself,” “Mood Swings” is another love/sex-oriented number, contrasting unapologetic bangers that graced the album early on.

“Something Special”  

With six remaining tracks on Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, five songs are solo cuts.  Worth noting, only two of the final six songs exceed three minutes. “Something Special” certainly sounds familiar, sampling Fabolous/Tamia. Once more, this is a track associated with matters of the heart.  We get a fourth track in this vein with “What You Know Bout Love,” which trades Loso/Tamia for Ginuwine, where sampling is concerned. “Diana” is the final collaboration of Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, bringing King Combs (son of Puff Daddy) into the mix.  “Diana” is fueled by an R&B sample once again, as well as sex.  While it’s a lot of ‘love’ in one setting, the overall success is indisputable.

Despite the success of a quintet of love/sex-oriented cuts, arguably, the album loses a bit of momentum. “Got it On Me” provides necessary contrast, infusing more oomph and East Coast-ness.  Pop Smoke continues to showcase his melodic side, but also brings more punch.  50 Cent’s fingerprints are all over this, specifically the chorus.  Like “Got it On Me,” “Tunnel Vision (Outro)” showcases a harder, more masculine- sound, where Smoke excelled most.  The bangers are the crème de la crème.  The outro (of the outro) affects you, as he’s interviewed about his desired impact in the music industry.  Hard-nosed banger “Dior,” a bonus cut, concludes Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon with ample punch.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon is an enjoyable, well-rounded debut for the late Pop Smoke.  It showcases the rapper’s strengths, potential, and versality.  Is this posthumous album a true tour de force? I wouldn’t go that far as there are some flaws, though nothing that ultimately derails Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon.  Some of the collaborations are better than others – Swae Lee sounded quite ‘flat to me’ – while the depth could’ve been expanded. That said, it’s always challenging to create the perfect debut album, let alone one arriving posthumously. Overall, there’s plenty to like about Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon.  RIP Pop Smoke.

✓ Gems: “Aim for the Moon,” “For the Night,” “Snitching,” “Make it Rain,” “The Woo” & “West Coast Shit”

Pop Smoke • Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon • Victor Victor Worldwide / Republic • Release: 7.3.20

Photo Credits: Victor Victor Worldwide / Republic