Pop Smoke dead - rapper, 20, dies after 'being shot in home burglary by masked thugs'

Rapper Pop Smoke, pictured at Paris Fashion Week, has died at the age of 20. (Image: Getty Images)

Pop Smoke has been killed in a home invasion robbery, according to breaking reports.

The 20-year-old American rapper died after being shot by thugs wearing masks, TMZ claims.

The US site reports how the rising star was at his house in the Hollywood Hills in the early hours of Wednesday morning when two masked men broke in.

The men fired multiple shots, critically wounding Pop Smoke before fleeing on foot.

The rapper was reportedly rushed by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood where he was later pronounced dead.

Pop Smoke, real name Bashar Barakah Jackson, is best known for track Welcome to the Party, released in April last year, which became a viral hit and was remixed by Nicki Minaj and Skepta.

It was the lead single of Pop's debut mixtape Meet the Woo which was released in July.

Earlier this month, Pop Smoke released his second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2 , which reached Number Eight on the latest Rolling Stone albums chart,amassing 37 million streams.

The rapper also featured on Travis Scott's 2019 track Gatti.

In an interview earlier this year, Pop spoke of his plans for the future as he reflected on his rise.

“This rapping is just another step in my life," he told XXL earlier. "There's no telling what I might do after this. I'll probably open up a store or some s***."

Hours before he died, Pop posted snaps of him living it up by a pool in Beverley Hills, California, to his Instagram.

He also shared multiple videos of fans listening to his music.

Tributes have been pouring in for the rapper across on social media.

Fellow rapper 50 cent wrote "R.I.P to my man Pop Smoke, No sympathy for winners. God bless him."

Singer Kehlan wrote: "Pop Smoke was 20 years oldddddd... and so f****n nice.... and talented!!!!!! i am sooooo SORRY!!!! this so sad... wow wow... what is happening.. f***** wow."

Radio DJ Peter Rosenberg wrote: "Shocked and disgusted about the murder of Pop Smoke. I cannot believe we are here again. Heartbreaking."