Pop Smoke, an up and coming rapper, was shot and killed Wednesday morning in what appears to be a home invasion robbery ... TMZ has learned.
The rapper was at a home in the Hollywood Hills at around 4:30 AM when 2 men wearing hoodies and masks broke into a house ... this according to law enforcement sources. We're told the 2 men fired multiple shots, striking and critically wounding Pop Smoke. The men were seen fleeing on foot.
Pop Smoke was rushed by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood where he was pronounced dead.
The suspects have not been caught and as far as we know they have not been identified. It's unclear if Pop Smoke knew the shooters. One man was placed in handcuffs but cops determined he was not involved and was released.
Pop Smoke released an album back in July and one of the songs, "Welcome to the Party," blew up ... it was considered by many the song of the summer. Nicki Minaj did a remix of the song a few months later. He also did a song, "Gatti," with Travis Scott.
6:56 AM PT -- The home is owned by Teddi Mellencamp's husband, Edwin Arroyave, who owns several homes in Los Angeles. It's possible Pop Smoke was renting the property.
7:08 AM PT -- Nicki Minaj just posted a cryptic message ... "The Bible tells us that jealousy is as cruel as the grave. Unbelievable. Rest in Peace, Pop." By using the term "jealousy," she seems to be saying there's a connection between the killers and Pop Smoke. We have not heard this from our law enforcement sources.
SUBSCRIBE: http://tmz.me/wONe5NO
About TMZ:
TMZ has consistently been credited for breaking the biggest stories dominating the entertainment news landscape and changed the way the public gets their news. Regularly referenced by the media, TMZ is one of the most cited entertainment news sources in the world.
Subscribe to TMZ on YouTube for breaking celebrity news/ gossip and insight from the newsroom staff (TMZ Chatter & TMZ News), the best clips from TMZ on TV, Raw & Uncut TMZ paparazzi video (from TMZ.com) and the latest video from TMZ Sports and TMZ Live!
Keeping Up with Our YouTube Exclusive Content:
TMZ Chatter: TMZ newsroom staff insight and commentary from stories/ photos/ videos on TMZ.com
TMZ News: The latest news you need to know from TMZ.com
Raq Rants: Raquel Harper talks to a celebrity guest with ties to the hip hop and R&B communities.
Behind The Bar Podcast: TMZ's lawyers Jason Beckerman and Derek Kaufman loiter at the intersection of law and entertainment, where they look closely at the personalities, events and trends driving the world of celebrity — and how the law affects it all.
We love Hollywood, we just have a funny way of showing it.
Need More TMZ?
TMZ Website: http://tmz.me/fPrTwZt
LIKE TMZ on Facebook! http://tmz.me/9sGB00a
FOLLOW TMZ on Twitter! http://tmz.me/9LeeNWQ
FOLLOW TMZ on Instagram! http://tmz.me/ep7d8Bn
TMZ on TV & TMZ Sports on FS1 Tune In Info: http://tmz.me/ccuirUZ
TMZ is on iOS! http://tmz.me/ecOjgiH
TMZ is on Android! http://tmz.me/pkwieRA
Got a Tip?
Contact TMZ: http://tmz.me/UsxYCvE
Check out TMZ Live, TMZ Sports and toofab!
TMZ Live: http://tmz.me/GxCXCfl
Subscribe! TMZ Live: http://tmz.me/cLxA82p
TMZ Sports: http://tmz.me/jMBERbb
Subscribe! TMZ Sports: http://tmz.me/jMBERbb
Toofab: http://tmz.me/dsXztns
Subscribe! toofab: http://tmz.me/VeVLMmi
https://www.youtube.com/c/TMZ
#rippopsmoke #ripsmoke #popsmoke
