Jimmy Wopo was poised to become Pittsburgh’s next big rapper. The 21-year-old had reportedly inked a deal with Taylor Gang, and had already drawn comparisons to major acts like Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller; however, his promising career was cut short this week when he was gunned down in the city that raised him.
Though we’ll never know what Wopo could’ve been, we may soon get to hear what he had in store.
On Friday night, the rapper’s manager Taylor Maglin shared a picture of a candlelight vigil attended by Wopo’s friends, family, and fans. The photo was captioned with a heartfelt message in which Maglin spoke about the late artist’s impact and how he intended to carry on his legacy through posthumous releases.
“He will be missed by so many but just know we have a ton Wopo’s music that we plan to release in the near future,” Maglin wrote. “Through all of us his memory will continue to live on.”
Wopo, named Travon Smart, was fatally shot Monday in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood. According to CNN, authorities found Wopo and another man inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds. The second victim, who has not been identified, is reportedly in stable condition. Officers have not made an arrest in connection to the murder.
In a 2017 interview with Complex, Wopo spoke about his burgeoning career, his musical influences, as well as his love for Pittsburgh.
“The city, it means a lot to me, and it means more to me now that I’m in control,” he said.” The shit that I do, my actions reflect on the city. Now I take it more serious how I represent where I come from because more people watching.”
