| Full Name | Omar Jeffery Pineiro |
| Age | 26 |
| Birthday | May 15, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Height | 5‘8 |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
With his gritty, melodic flow and blend of punk rock aesthetics and trap beats, Smokepurpp has carved out a unique lane in hip hop over the last few years. The 26-year-old Florida rapper first made waves online with his breakout track "Audi" in 2017, and has since developed a cult-like following thanks to his prolific output and high-energy live shows.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Smokepurpp was born Omar Jeffery Pineiro on May 15, 1997 in Chicago, Illinois. His family moved to Miami, Florida when he was very young, which is where Purpp was raised. Showing interest in music from a young age, Purpp started rapping and producing beats as a teenager, dropping his first mixtape Lil Purpp Tha Producer in 2012 at just 15 years old.
As a long-time fan, I still remember listening to those early tracks and being impressed by his raw talent and original sound at such a young age.
He originally performed under the name Lil Purpp before changing it to Smokepurpp. The "Smoke" part refers to his frequent marijuana use, which remains a common theme in his music to this day. Purpp‘s early influences include Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Three 6 Mafia, and SpaceGhostPurrp – many of which you can hear echoes of in his current style.
Rise to Fame and Collaborations
After building a following on SoundCloud, Purpp broke through to a wider audience in 2017 with his viral hit "Audi" which now has over 50 million streams on Spotify. His debut commercial mixtape Deadstar was released later that year, peaking at #42 on the Billboard 200.
Purpp is known for his collaborations with rappers in the Florida rap scene and beyond, including Lil Pump, Lil Peep, Chief Keef, Travis Scott, and the late Juice Wrld. He was one of the first collaborators with Lil Pump, featuring on Pump‘s 2017 breakout hit "D Rose." Their chemistry is undeniable, with Purpp describing them as "two troublemakers joining forces."
Style and Persona
Smokepurpp‘s music is often classified as "punk trap" or "emo rap" – a blend of southern trap production with the aggression, energy, and lyrical themes of punk rock. His songs feature dark, often melancholy lyrics about drug use, failed relationships, and suicidal thoughts. For example, in his track "2000 Rounds" he raps "Pop a pill ‘cause I‘m depressed/Purpp just need some rest."
Visually, Purpp projects a punk aesthetic, often dyeing his dreadlocks neon colors and wearing leather jackets, chains, and band tees on stage. His face tattoos, including a crescent moon on his forehead, also align with today‘s heavily-tatted SoundCloud rappers.
Beyond the music, Purpp has become known for his wild, rock star-like behavior, which often spills over into fights with fans and public meltdowns on social media. But his unfiltered, IDGAF attitude endears him to his hardcore fanbase, who live vicariously through his rebellious antics.
Continued Success and Dedication to Fans
Since his initial breakthrough, Smokepurpp has continued releasing music at a prolific rate. He‘s dropped multiple mixtapes and collaborative projects, including Bless Yo Trap (2018), Deadstar 2 (2018), and Florida Jit (2019).
Purpp has struggled commercially at some points in his career but has seen a recent resurgence. His 2020 single "Audi 2" became his first to crack the Billboard Hot 100. In 2021, he signed with Travis Scott‘s Cactus Jack Records and dropped the album Florida Jit through the label, hitting #72 on the Billboard 200. As a long-time fan, it‘s been amazing watching Purpp evolve his sound across various mixtapes and albums over the years.
Through all the ups and downs, Purpp has remained dedicated to his day-one fans, frequently engaging with them online and at shows. He still enthusiastically performs his old viral hits in addition to new material at live shows. And his authenticity continues to resonate in today‘s rap scene.
To me, Smokepurpp represents the realness that seems to be disappearing from hip hop. He‘s stayed true to his roots and never compromised his unique style. After following Purpp‘s career from the start, I can‘t wait to see what he does next.