UPDATE
We recently compiled a list of rappers who were murdered under the age of 30 and since its been published, (maybe a week) and another more up and coming rapper has been gunned down.
Snootie Wild, 36
Popular Memphis rapper Snootie Wild died February 26, after being shot in the neck and left in a ditch. Houston authorities arrived on the scene and tried to revive the rapper, but he succumbed to his injuries a day later. Although he wasn’t under 30, we decided to add him to this list to show how ridiculous this is becoming. Snootie had a ton of potential and was well on his way to stardom. He was 36 years young!
Rappers Murdered
When one thinks of rappers who were murdered untimely, under 30 to be exact, the names Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. come to mind. Tupac, 25, and Notorious B.I.G., 24, were both gunned down in the mid to late 90’s. It was the height of the media fueled “East Coast/West Coast” beef, which may have led to each of these rappers demise. In the 90’s, a rapper being gunned down was a rarity. And since then, the names “Tupac and Biggie” have been etched in our minds. Both went on to become iconic figures in American culture with multiple movies, documentaries, and even more surprisingly, several TV shows surrounding the fact that both murders are still unsolved.
Furthermore, considering the legacy both of these superstars have left behind, it’s sometimes easy to forget how young they were at the time of their deaths. Recently, shooting deaths amongst young Hip Hop stars has become far too common. Whether it’s the invasion of gang culture that has plagued the music business; or the drill music which has seemingly become the soundtrack to the violence. Something is going on that desperately needs to be addressed.
HHMW has accumulated a list of some unfortunate reality that is taking place amongst young Hip Hop artists. It seems the age of rappers who fall victim to gun violence is getting younger and younger by the day. What’s even more unfortunate, is we could’ve made this list even longer.
Pop Smoke, 20
Hailing from Canarsie, Brooklyn, Pop Smoke was destined to be one of the young artist who would make an impact in the rap game. His distinct vocal tone automatically set him apart from his peers. Following the direction of fellow Brooklyn rapper, 22 Gz, Pop Smoke incorporated the UK drill sound into his production. He would later add his sing along, melodic style that would allow his music to garner more mainstream attention. After releasing 2 mixtapes “Meet the Woo” part 1 and 2, Smoke would secure a major record deal that would put him on a much bigger stage. The singles “Welcome to The Party” and “Dior” had NYC and the entire Tri State area on fire. It was only a matter of time before the whole world would know Pop Smoke. Unfortunately, on February 19, 2020, Pop Smoke was murdered during a home invasion in Los Angeles. He was 20 years young.
King Von, 26
Chicago is known to be one of the epicenters for gun violence amongst rappers. With an estimated 150,000 gang members roaming the city, it shouldn’t be much of a shock that a lot of the murders are gang related. Hailing from Chicago’s infamous O Block is a rapper who was also on his way to greatness. After inking a deal with Lil Durk’s OTF label, King Von would go on to release the single “Crazy Story” that would get his name buzzing in the music industry. He would later go on to release the albums “Grandson Vol. 1”, and “Levon James”, which would solidify him as one to watch. Hardly a stranger to violence, King Von had more than his fair share of legal issues. In 2014, he was charged with 1 count of murder, and 2 counts of attempted murder in his hometown of Chicago. Soon after, all charges were dropped. However, on November, 6, 2020, King Von would bump heads with fellow rapper Quando Rando’s crew in Atlanta, GA. He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead by the time he reached the hospital. He was 26 years young.
FBG Duck, 26
Another rapper coming out of the streets of Chicago is Carlton Weekly, aka FBG Duck. Duck was a member of the “Fly Boys Gang”, who are known to be affiliated with Chicago’s infamous Gangster Disciples. Duck had been in an ongoing feud with another rapper hailing from Chicago; Glory Boyz Entertainment leader, Chief Keef. As a result, numerous diss records and online threats were dished out between the two. However, the rapper was stabbed by a girlfriend, not one of his “opps”, as many would’ve suspected. But this wouldn’t stop him from releasing 2015’s “different personalities”, and 2017’s “Different Personalities 2”, along with a slew of other mixtapes. On August 4, In the upscale Chicago community of Gold Coast, Weekly was shot multiple times in a drive by shooting. He was later pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He was 26 years young!
XXXTenacion, 20
Florida is also known to be a hotbed for gun violence in its inner cities. With rappers like Kodak Black, YNM Melly, SpotemGotem and many others. It’s quite obvious the Sunshine state is also known for its darkside. This next artist was one who seemed to be a bit more level headed. Going by the stage name XXXTenacion, the rapper was born Jehseh Onfroy in 1998. After a brief stint in a juvenile detention center, he turned his focus to music. Whether you dubbed him an emo rapper or a soundcloud rapper, one thing was for certain, he was a bonifide star. After millions of streams on Soundloud, XXX would garner mainstream attention with the single “Look At Me”. He would also rack up multiple platinum certifications from the RIAA for his albums, “17” and “?”. Sadly enough, he didn’t live long enough to bask in his successes. On June 18th, 2018, he was robbed and fatally shot at a motorcycle dealership in Florida. He was 20 years young.
Drakeo The Ruler, 28
Darrell Caldwell, aka Drakeo The Ruler was a rapper hailing from the streets of South Central, L.A. Like King Von, Drakeo was all too familiar with violence and the gangster lifestyle. After numerous arrests for gun possession, attempted murder, and even actual murder, Drakeo would use music as a way to distance himself from the lifestyle that seemed to be a pathway to destruction. As a result, while serving time for gang conspiracy, the rapper would record the album “Thank You For Using GTL”, from behind bars. He was later released after receiving a plea deal. After co-signs from DJ Mustard, features from West Coast legend Mozzy and even superstar rapper Drake, it was safe to say Drakeo was on his way to making his mark. Unfortunately, during the “Once Upon A Time in LA” festival, Drakeo was involved in a fight backstage where he would be stabbed in the neck. The rapper was pronounced dead close to midnight on December 19th, 2021. He was 28 years young.
Bankroll Fresh, 28
In 2012, Bankroll Fresh hit the red hot Atlanta rap scene with his debut mixtape, “Street Motivation”, but it wouldn’t be until 2014 when heads when really take notice. Originally going under the name Young Fresh, Bankroll Fresh, born Trentavious White, would work his way up the ladder of the rap game. He frequently collaborated with ATL O.G. Gucci Mane, and even teamed up with producer Mike Will Made it on the song “Screen Door”. However, it was when he dropped his own hit song, “Hot Boy”, that life would begin to change for the young rapper. As with many young artists trying to transition from the street life, Fresh’s life was cut short one fateful day outside an Atlanta recording studio. Supposedly, Bankroll Fresh had a beef with a childhood friend, rapper No Plug. After a brief investigation, authorities concluded that Fresh had shot first with a SKS, and No Plug returned fire killing the rapper. He was 28 years young!
Mo3, 28
Hailing from Dallas, Texas was another young aspiring rapper with a lot or potential. He went by the name M03 and was known for his street tales and hard rhymes as displayed on his 2014 debut mixtape titled, Shottaz. His single Hold Ya Tongue was enough to boost his profile in the southern region and gain the attention of bigger artist. One in particular was Lousiana Rapper Lil Boosie. The two would go on to eventually record and release a joint project titled “BadAzz Mo3”. On November 11th, the rapper was pursued by another vehicle in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, Mo3 was shot multiple times with an assault rifle and pronounced dead by the time he arrived at the hospital. He was 28 years young!
Smoke Dawg, 21
When one thinks of Canada, the last thing that comes to mind is probably gun violence. And when you think of Canadian artists, the popularity of Drake and Tory Lanez sing along style doesn’t quite scream “Gangster” at all. But there is a side to Toronto that many don’t know much about. One rapper coming out of T Dot was born Jahvante Smart, and went by the alias Smoke Dawg. Smoke released his debut album Struggle Before Glory in 2018. Rapping since his early teens, Smart would join a local rap supergroup known as the The Prime Boys. Smoke would become so popular, he would not only tour with Drake, but also feature him on the song Trap House in 2017. While hanging outside of a nightclub on June 30, 2018, Smart was approached and shot multiple times along with two other people. He and Prime Boys manager, Koba Prime would both succumb to their injuries. Koba was 28, Smoke Dawg was 21 years young!
Lil Phat, 19
Melvin Vernell III was a rapper out of Baton Rouge, Lousiana who seemed destined for greatness. Rapping under the stage name Lil Phat, Vernell got his first record deal at the young age of 14. Lil Phat would even show up on one the more popular records coming out of the city in 2008; the song Independent but rap artist Webbie. Lil Phat would collaborate frequently with other Trill Entertainment artist, including Lil Boosie who seemed to take the youngster under his wing. On June 7, 2012, while awaiting the birth of his daughter, Phat was ambushed in front of Northside Hospital by 3 men who fatally shot the rapper. He was the youngest on this list and lost his life at the tender young age of 19.
Magnolia Shorty, 28
The city of New Orleans is known for many things; a high murder rate is one of them. Renetta Lowe, professionally known as Magnolia Shorty, was a bounce MC who was affiliated with the Cash Money camp since her teenage days. According to Rolling Stone, at only 15, she featured alongside rapper Juvenile, BG, and Soulja Slim, who had along with Lowe, all grown up in the Magnolia Projects. Magnolia Shorty had made such a mark during the 90’s that she was given the name the “Queen of Bounce”. During this time, the Bounce style was becoming very popular in New Orleans and would be later sampled by many others. On December 20, 2010, Lowe was ambushed in her own apartment complex by two men. She was reportedly hit 26 times. She was 28 years young!
UPDATE : Shot and Killed at Press Time
T Dott Woo, 22
HHMW would like to send our condolences to the family of rapper T Dott Woo. Born Tahjay Dobson, Woo was shot and killed only hours after signing a record deal. According to People, Million Dollar Records had previously announced they had signed the young rapper, who was an affiliate of another rapper on this list, Pop Smoke. Tdott was shot in his head outside of his home in the Carnarsie section of Brooklyn. He was 22 years young.
We have GOT to do better as a community people!
Stay tuned for more Hip Hop news!
