The body of Javonnta Murphy, who was part of the rap duo Tank & Booq, was found naked in a sealed barrel on a Malibu beach last week.
The 32-year-old's death may be tied to the Pop Smoke murder.
Javonnta is the brother of Jaquan Murphy, one of the five people arrested for killing Pop in a 2020 Hollywood Hills home invasion murder.
Jaquan ultimately wasn't charged in Pop's murder and is instead awaiting trial for another murder.
Police believe there is enough of a connection to investigate Javonnta's murder as a retaliation for the death of Pop.