"I think that's a dangerous precedent" — DJ Akademiks condemns No Jumper host Adam 22 for interviewing Pop Smoke murder suspect

American YouTuber Adam 22 recently invited Pop Smoke's murder suspect Blockstar on his No Jumper podcast. In the episode, Blockstar talked about Pop Smoke's death and other details about the same.

However, Adam's actions didn't seem right to DJ Akademiks who addressed the situation via a live stream on July 6, 2024. In his live stream, DJ Akademiks stated:

"I think that's a dangerous precedent, very dangerous precdent."

Akademiks also mentioned that Adam set an example for the "clout-chasing generation" that it is okay to rob or murder somebody with a name and they'll be given a platform like the No Jumper podcast to talk about it.

DJ Akademiks talked about how he wonders if Adam 22 knows the "repercussions of what he's doing", given that being in the media warrants people like Adam taking some accountability.

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"You kind've have to draw that line"- DJ Akademiks comments on Adam 22 interviewing Pop Smoke's murder suspect

One of the four suspects in Pop Smoke's death which took place in February 2020, Blockstar showcased no remorse when talking about the rapper's death on Adam 22's podcast. Blockstar recently came out from a juvenile detention center early in July 2024 and stated that he wasn't sorry about anything.

Commenting on Pop Smoke's demise, Blockstar told Adam 22:

"It should’ve never happened, but I ain’t sorry. If I could go back, I’d go back. But I ain’t sorry. People die every day. [Pop Smoke] was rapping about it. All types of stuff. So, I ain’t sorry about it."

Adam also asked him questions about the robbery which turned into a murder and whether Pop Smoke accidentally releasing his address online on the day of his death had anything to do with the robbery. While Blockstar maintained his silence on the same, Adam received a lot of backlash from viewers and fans who stated that it was insensitive of him to ask detailed questions about someone who died so tragically.

Moreover, talking about Adam 22's act of calling the murder suspect on his podcast, DJ Akademiks remarked that Blockstar killed somebody in Hip Hop and was getting paid to tell the story on a Hip Hop platform. Akademiks also stated:

"You kind've have to draw that line."

Akademiks also talked about pushing the same line of independent media with Adam and that if he started doing such interviews with people who hurt public figures, the number of people pursuing such dangerous activities would increase.

He also drew comparisons between the late Pop Smoke being liked more on the West Coast as compared to the East Coast, stating Adam 22's presence on the East Coast could also be a reason he didn't give his choice of guest on the recent podcast episode much thought.

Explaining his point, DJ Akademiks mentioned:

"When you start interviewing killers of rappers and you are a rap outlet, you almost give the green light to people."

Akademiks also made a point about how Adam 22 shouldn't have bought Blockstar on the podcast because he's neither a rapper nor a public figure. So it didn't make sense for the murder accused of a rapper to be invited to a relatively popular platform.

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While DJ Akademiks criticized Adam for his latest No Jumper podcast episode, Adam hasn't commented on the same. Moreover, Adam has also not given a statement addressing his viewers and fans who expressed their discontent with his choice of guest on the latest podcast.