Pop Smoke didn't just make music; he created an atmosphere. When people talk about the Brooklyn drill scene, they usually lean into the gritty, bass-heavy anthems that make you want to jump in a mosh pit. But Pop Smoke Enjoy Yourself? That was something else entirely. It was a pivot. It was the moment the "Woo" showed he could play in the same league as the global pop giants without losing his soul.
It’s weird thinking back to the summer of 2020. The world was messy. Then Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon dropped posthumously, and suddenly, "Enjoy Yourself" was everywhere. It felt like a bittersweet invitation. Pop was gone, but he left us this smooth, almost luxurious track that urged everyone to just live a little. Honestly, it’s one of the few songs from that era that hasn't aged a day.
The Burna Boy vs. Karol G Debate
If you’re a die-hard fan, you know there isn't just one version of this song. The original features Karol G. It’s heavy on the Latin-pop crossover appeal. She brings a soft, melodic contrast to Pop’s gravelly, deep baritone. It worked. It felt like a summer night in Miami. But then the deluxe version of the album hit, and we got the Burna Boy remix.
That changed the math.
Burna Boy brought that Afrobeats texture that felt more aligned with Pop Smoke’s Pan-African energy. You’ve got to remember, Pop was Panamanian and Jamaican by descent. Hearing him over those breezy, rhythmic production choices felt natural. Some fans swear by the Karol G version because of the sheer "pop" perfection, while others think Burna Boy captured the "global giant" vibe better.
The production, handled by Palaze and Luciano, uses a sample from "Drink Freely" by French Montana. It’s light. It’s airy. It’s a far cry from the dark, menacing strings of "Dior." And that’s exactly why it worked. It proved Pop Smoke wasn't a one-trick pony. He wasn't just the "Drill King." He was an artist who could've dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for a decade.
Why the Lyrics Actually Mattered
"Enjoy yourself, tonight."
It’s a simple hook. Almost too simple. But coming from a 20-year-old kid who was taken before his debut album even came out, those words carry a weight they weren't supposed to have. When Pop Smoke sings about buying jewelry and taking a girl to Panama, he’s flexing, sure. That’s rap. But he’s also manifesting a life he was just starting to taste.
The song is actually a love letter to the lifestyle he was building. He talks about the "Christian Dior" (obviously) and the "Mike Amiri," but the tone is different. It isn't aggressive. It’s celebratory.
- The Vibe: Smooth, melodic, and surprisingly romantic.
- The Flow: Pop abandons the staccato drill delivery for a more sung-rapped approach.
- The Impact: It bridged the gap between the streets of Canarsie and the charts in London and Lagos.
People often forget how young he was. You can hear the youth in his voice on this track. There’s a playfulness. He’s not trying to prove he’s the toughest guy in the room here; he’s just having fun.
The Technical Shift in Brooklyn Drill
Before "Enjoy Yourself," Brooklyn drill was largely defined by the "UK sound"—sliding 808s and eerie melodies. Pop Smoke was the face of that. But Steven Victor and the team at Victor Victor Worldwide knew that for Pop to become the next 50 Cent, he had to evolve.
They looked at the charts. They saw how melodic rap was dominating. By the time Pop Smoke Enjoy Yourself was being polished, the goal was clear: global domination. The song stripped away the distortion. It kept the bass but made it "radio-friendly."
Some purists hated it. They thought it was "too poppy." They missed the raw energy of Meet the Woo, Vol. 1. But look at the numbers. The song has racked up hundreds of millions of streams. It’s a staple at weddings, clubs, and fashion shows. It turned a regional subgenre into a template for international success.
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A Masterclass in Posthumous Production
Handling a dead artist’s work is a minefield. Usually, it feels like a cash grab. But 50 Cent, who executive produced the album, treated this song with a weird amount of respect. He saw himself in Pop. He knew that Pop wanted to be more than just a "local hero."
The way "Enjoy Yourself" was mixed—keeping Pop’s vocals front and center while letting the features breathe—is a masterclass. They didn't overproduce it. They didn't pack it with twenty different guests. They let the melody do the heavy lifting. It’s rare for a posthumous track to feel this "finished."
The Cultural Legacy of the "Woo"
When you play "Enjoy Yourself" today, it doesn't feel like a funeral song. That’s the magic of it. It’s a "get ready" song. It’s a "driving with the windows down" song.
Pop Smoke’s influence on fashion and lingo is well-documented, but his musical legacy is often simplified. "Enjoy Yourself" is the evidence that he was heading toward a fusion of genres. He was experimenting with R&B. He was experimenting with Reggaeton and Afrobeats.
The song also solidified the "Woo" as a lifestyle brand. It wasn't just a gang affiliation or a neighborhood thing anymore. It became a synonym for success and "moving right." When he tells the listener to enjoy themselves, it feels like a directive.
How to Actually Appreciate the Track Today
If you want to get the full experience, stop listening to it through your phone speakers. This track was built for a system. You need to hear the way the low end sits right under the "Drink Freely" sample.
- Listen to the Karol G version first. Notice the chemistry. It’s an unexpected pairing that works because of the shared "island" energy.
- Switch to the Burna Boy remix immediately after. You’ll hear how the same lyrics can feel totally different just by changing the guest’s cadence.
- Watch the visuals. Even though Pop isn't in a traditional music video for this in the way we’d like, the fan-made and estate-sanctioned visuals capture that luxury aesthetic he loved.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Pop Smoke was "changing" because he was forced to. That’s a lie. If you listen to his early interviews, he was always talking about Quavo, Lauryn Hill, and 50 Cent. He wanted the throne. "Enjoy Yourself" wasn't a departure; it was the destination.
It’s also not a "sad" song. Stop treating it like one. Yes, it’s tragic that he’s not here to perform it at Coachella, but the track itself is pure dopamine. It’s an anthem of arrival.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re a creator, look at the "Enjoy Yourself" formula. It’s about contrast. Dark voice, light beat. Street reputation, pop execution. That’s where the money—and the longevity—is.
- Diversify your sound early. Pop didn't wait until his fifth album to try something new. He did it on his first studio release.
- Collaborate outside your bubble. Crossover tracks like this one with Karol G or Burna Boy expand your audience by millions instantly.
- Quality over quantity. The song is short. It doesn't overstay its welcome. It leaves you wanting to hit repeat.
Pop Smoke’s career was a sprint, not a marathon. In just a couple of years, he went from a kid in Brooklyn to a voice that resonates in every corner of the globe. "Enjoy Yourself" remains the brightest light in a catalog that was cut far too short. Go play it loud. It’s what he would’ve wanted.
Check out the official estate releases on Spotify or Apple Music to ensure you’re hearing the high-fidelity masters, as the nuances in the production are half the battle. If you're feeling adventurous, look for the slowed + reverb versions on YouTube; they turn the song into a completely different, ethereal experience that highlights just how good the songwriting actually was.