Forever Woo: Pop Smoke Merch and the Legacy of Brooklyn Drill
When Pop Smoke’s voice first exploded through the speakers with the gritty bass of “Welcome to the Party,” few could predict the cultural impact he was about to unleash. A product of Brooklyn’s Canarsie neighborhood, Bashar Barakah Jackson — better known as Pop Smoke — embodied the rise of New York drill music, a subgenre that fused the raw emotion of the streets with hard-hitting trap beats and UK grime influence. But beyond the music, there was an image, a style, and a legacy.
Pop Smoke’s influence didn’t stop at music charts or clubs. It carved a place in fashion — especially in the U.S. streetwear scene — where his merchandise, official or bootleg, has become part of the cultural fabric. From stark black hoodies bearing his image to bold “WOO” statements across chests, Pop Smoke merch has outlived trends. It speaks of loyalty, loss, and pride. It has become the visual extension of Brooklyn drill, worn proudly by those who identify not just with the sound, but the spirit behind it.
The Rise of Brooklyn Drill
Before Pop Smoke, New York had long held its place as the birthplace of hip-hop, but the city’s dominance had dimmed in the 2010s. Drill, originally a Chicago-born genre later amplified by UK artists like 67 and Headie One, found a new life in Brooklyn. Pop Smoke was among the first to blend that London-style production with unmistakably New York swagger.
With hits like Dior, War, and Mood Swings, Pop Smoke became the face of a reawakened New York. But alongside the music was a fashion sensibility that resonated deeply — clean yet rugged, dark but aspirational. A sense of streetwear laced with mourning, but also with pride. His image — bandana tied around his head, Dior on his feet, chains heavy around his neck — became iconic.
Merch as Memorial
After Pop Smoke’s tragic death in 2020, the demand for his merch skyrocketed. But this wasn’t just about fandom. Fans, friends, and followers saw Pop’s clothing not merely as apparel but as emotional tribute. It became a visual form of mourning — a way to keep the Woo alive.
Official drops often featured artwork from Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon and Faith, with ethereal portraits, doves, or Pop’s serious stare surrounded by celestial elements. Black hoodies, oversized tees, and simple slogans like “Forever Woo” or “The Smoke Will Never Clear” began circulating online and in streetwear stores.
The clothing resonated because it wasn’t flashy — it felt grounded. Raw. Real. In many ways, wearing Pop Smoke’s merch is like wearing an oath: to honor a voice cut short and a movement that refuses to be silenced.
Woo as Identity
“Woo” is more than a chant — it’s a cultural signifier. Pop Smoke popularized it, but its roots go deep into Brooklyn life. In his music and his public persona, “Woo” became shorthand for loyalty, family, pride, and fearlessness in the face of adversity.
His merch often centers around this very idea. The gear doesn’t just bear his name — it represents the movement. Shirts with “Meet the Woo” logos, WOO caps, and sweatshirts with phrases like “Shoot for the Stars” or “Faith” are about community just as much as commemoration.
These aren’t hypebeast collectibles. They’re personal. In neighborhoods where the Woo movement was born, young fans wear these items daily — not to flex, but to belong.
A Streetwear Legacy
What distinguishes Pop Smoke’s merch is its ability to transcend celebrity branding and evolve into true streetwear. Fashion in the drill community isn’t about trends. It’s about narrative. Each hoodie, tee, or jacket tells a story — of survival, loss, respect, and rising above.
Even high fashion took notice. Pop’s frequent references to Dior sparked renewed interest in the label among streetwear fans, showing how a single artist can bridge the gap between luxury and street credibility. His relationship with fashion was aspirational but never disconnected from his roots.
Today, the ripple effects are everywhere. DIY creators on Etsy and Instagram remix Pop Smoke visuals into one-of-a-kind jackets and tees. Bootleggers fuse album art with custom cuts, creating raw and expressive pieces that keep the spirit alive. These underground creations, far from diluting his brand, reinforce the very heart of it: rebellion, remembrance, and raw authenticity.
Beyond Brooklyn
Though Brooklyn is his home, Pop Smoke’s influence has spread nationwide — and globally. From Chicago to L.A., from Paris to Lagos, you’ll see “Woo” hoodies on street corners and in skate parks, proof that his vision was never just regional. His merch, once a local tribute, is now a worldwide signal — of being part of something bigger.
For many young people navigating post-pandemic grief, systemic injustice, or cultural alienation, Pop Smoke’s music and fashion offer a sense of identity. He gave them something to believe in. Something to wear like armor.
Conclusion: The Woo Lives On
Pop Smoke may be gone, https://popsmokemerch.store/ but the Woo lives on. In beats, in streets, and on backs. His merch has become more than memorabilia — it’s a movement stitched into cotton and ink. It represents the resilience of a generation and the soul of Brooklyn drill.
And as long as kids stand on corners wearing “Forever Woo” hoodies, as long as his lyrics echo through headphones on midnight train rides, Pop Smoke’s legacy will remain — alive in thread and rhythm alike.