Jimmy Wopo | |
|---|---|
 Jimmy Wopo in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Travon DaShawn Frank Smart (1997-01-13)January 13, 1997 Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | (2018-06-18)June 18, 2018 (aged 21) Hill District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Homicide (gunshot wound) |
| Education | Woodland Hills High School |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 2016–2018 |
| Labels |
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Travon DaShawn Frank Smart (January 13, 1997 – June 18, 2018), better known by his stage nameJimmy Wopo, was an American rapper.
Wopo was an affiliate of fellow Pittsburgh-based rapperWiz Khalifa and hisTaylor Gang imprint. He made his first high-profile appearance with his 2016 breakout single, "Elm Street", produced byStvii B, whichComplex included in the "'Bout to Blow: 10 Dope New Songs You Should Be Hearing Everywhere Soon" list.[1] Following that success, he collaborated with several prominent rappers including Wiz Khalifa,Sonny Digital,21 Savage and more.[2] After receiving a co-sign from hip hop producerMike Will Made It, rap duoRae Sremmurd brought Wopo out to perform during their set at the Pittsburgh stop of their SremmLife 2 Tour.[3] Wopo was murdered in adrive-by shooting on June 18, 2018.
In January 2015, Wopo began uploading original tracks to his SoundCloud account. Taylor Maglin, the owner of the Pittsburgh-based blogDaily Loud, partnered with him and began to publicize his music. This additional push helped him to accumulate millions of views on his music videos on his YouTube channel.[4] Joining the wave of Wopo's viral success, urban hip hop blogWorldStarHipHop exclusively debuted five of his music videos in 2016.[5] On July 24, 2016, he premiered his debut project,Woponese, on Daily Loud.[6] This 8-track mixtape included the single "Back Door", which featuresSonny Digital.[7] In October 2016, Wopo was featured onRiff Raff's song "Stay Away from You" on hisBalloween mixtape.[8] On November 25, 2016, he released a joint album with his fellow Pittsburgh-based rapper Hardo. This nine-track project featured ShadyHigler,21 Savage andWiz Khalifa.[9]
Before his death, Wopo completed 50 unreleased songs, which would be released posthumously according to Wopo's manager.[10]
On February 7, 2016, Wopo was arrested during a traffic stop inWashington County, Pennsylvania. Police arrested Wopo and two others after finding two stamp bags of suspected heroin and a small amount of marijuana. He was arraigned on drug charges and drinking charges and placed in jail with a $25,000 bond. Later, while out, Wopo, landed in jail because of probation violation. Wopo failed to inform officials of his trip to New York State, where he was caught and imprisoned on such charges. While in jail, he wrote an album,Back Against the Wall, which he recorded the first day he got out of jail.[11]
At 4:22 PM EDT on June 18, 2018, Smart and a male passenger were shot while driving through Pittsburgh'sHill District neighborhood.[12][13] The passenger survived, but Smart, who was shot in the head, died after being rushed toUPMC Presbyterian at 5:56 PM.[14] He was 21 years old, and left behind three children.[15] As of 2025, no one has been charged for the murder. Smart had also died on the same day as fellow rapperXXXTentacion.[16]
Smart has been posthumously implicated in numerous gang related crimes. Multiple members of his gang were sentenced to prison in 2021.[17]
