At least one rapper was killed due to shooting every year as the hip-hop community, which often glorifies violence through music, has been closely associated with images of gun crime.
- Nov 6, 2022
AceShowbiz - The hip-hop community has heavily been impacted by gun violence. According to experts, this happens because many artists in the community often use their lyrics to glorify the use of weapons.
Gun violence itself has killed at least one rapper every year. XXXTentacion was fatally shot in an apparent robbery in 2018 and Nipsey Hussle was shot at least 10 times in 2019. The hip-hop community lost King Von and Pop Smoke in 2020 and in November 2021, Young Dolph was shot and killed while buying cookies.
This year alone, numerous rap artists lost their lives due to fatal shootings in the United States. To honor those talented musicians, AceShowbiz has listed ten rappers who were tragically shot and killed in 2022.
1. Takeoff
The hip-hop community recently lost a rap star, Takeoff. The rapper was shot and killed early Tuesday morning, November 1 in Houston, Texas. He was at a private party at 810 Billiards & Bowling in downtown Houston with his uncle Quavo around 2:35 A.M. when investigators said shots rang out during an afterparty attended by around 40 people.
The 28-year-old rap star, who was one-third of the Migos trio alongside Quavo and his cousin Offset, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims, 23-year-old Quavo's assistant Joshua "Wash" Washington and 24-year-old female, checked themselves into a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
During a press conference, officers, who urged witnesses to step up with any information to help solve the case, revealed that at least two firearms were involved in the shooting. They also believe the suspects were also guests at a private party at the location.
2. TDott Woo
A young music star sadly lost his life right when he seemed to have a promising career. New York rapper TDott Woo, born Tahjay Dobson, was shot dead in Brooklyn shortly after signing his first record deal. He was only 22 years old.
TDott was fatally shot in the neighborhood where he grew up on February 1. The rising rapper, who was friends with late rapper Pop Smoke, who was also shot dead was struck in the head and left knee in a drive-by shooting on Avenue L near East 98th Street in Canarsie at about 2:20 P.M., according to the authorities.
Just hours before the shooting, indie label Million Dollar Music announced via Instagram that the label had welcomed TDott. In the since-deleted post, the label introduced the up-and-coming rapper as the "official artist of MDM."
3. FBG Cash
Also losing his life during his early career was rapper FBG Cash. The rapper, born Tristian Hamilton, sadly passed away at the age of 31 after being shot dead during a drive-by shooting in Chicago while a woman slept next to him in his car.
The Chicago-born rap artist was said to have been sprayed with bullets by a rival in the early hours of June 10. The shooting happened around 12 hours before his newest song "Crazy Lane" was supposed to debut.
Police said FBG Cash and the woman had been in the vehicle in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood around 5.30 A.M. when they were targeted. Another vehicle was said to have pulled up next to them and fired several rounds into their car before fleeing, leaving the rising star reportedly riddled with bullets.
4. Trouble
Trouble, best known for hits like "Ain't My Fault", "Ready" and "Kesha Dem", also died in gun violence. The Def Jam rapper was tragically shot and killed on June 5. He was only 34 years old.
Trouble, whose real name is Mariel Semonte Orr, was found with a gunshot wound at Lake St. James Apartments in Conyers at around 3:20 A.M., according to the Rockdale County sheriff's office. He was reportedly shot in a car and was taken to a local hospital, but later died from his injuries.
In a press release, the Rockdale County Sheriff spokeswoman Jedidia Canty said the shooting was an isolated incident and appeared to be domestic. She added that Trouble and the suspect, 33-year-old Jamichael Jones, knew the same woman that they were visiting at the apartment complex.
5. Snootie Wild
Another rapper who became a victim of gun violence is Snootie Wild. The Memphis emcee was pronounced dead after being shot in Houston. The 36-year-old rapper's death was announced on his Instagram account on February 26. "Gone in body, but your NAME & LEGACY will live forever! #TeamYayo4Life," so read the caption.
Snootie was allegedly shot in the neck one day earlier. He was later found by authorities laying in a ditch next to an SUV. "It looks like he backed in there accidentally. Then the other vehicle pulled up, and folks got out of the car," officer R. Willkens told ABC 13.
Snootie, who was best known for his hit song "Yayo" featuring Yo Gotti, was then rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. While doctors initially said it was a 50/50 chance he would be okay, unfortunately, they couldn't save him.
6. JayDaYoungan
After days of conflicting reports about his condition following a shooting in his hometown, JayDaYoungan was confirmed to have died as a result of his injuries. The Louisiana rapper was only 24 years old.
JayDaYoungan was shot outside a home on July 24. Detailing the fatal incident, his father Kenyatta Scott, who was also ambushed by five men during the fatal shooting, revealed the duo was sitting in the front yard of their Louisiana home when a black truck pulled up and three people jumped out with guns. As they tried to run inside for cover, two more people approached them from the side of their house and opened fire.
Kenyatta, who believed that the attack was fueled by jealousy over his son's success, said he was also armed and shot back to defend himself and his son, but he was shot twice in the arm. Meanwhile, JayDaYoungan, real name Javorius Tykies Scott, was struck at least eight times. The rapper was transported to the hospital and lost a lot of blood. He underwent surgery but eventually succumbed to his injuries.
7. Goonew
Goonew is another rapper who lost his life at a very young age. The "Real Steppers" spitter, who was involved in a shooting in 2019 but survived, was killed during a fatal shooting incident in District Heights, Maryland on March 28. He was only 24 years old.
Announcing the heartbreaking news was his manager. "The 24-year-old Maryland rapper had a gift for smearing time, phrasing his rhymes slightly in front of the beat, making the present moment feel weightless and imprecise," an obituary read. "It gave his music an enchanted temporality, but for Goonew, it all felt perfectly natural."
The Prince George's County Police Department initially shared the news, tweeting that a shooting had taken place at 5:45 P.M in the 3400 block of Walters Lane in District Heights. "Once on scene, they located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a hospital for life threatening injuries. At approx. 7:30 pm, the victim was pronounced dead," read the tweet.
8. Johnny May Cash
While other rappers were murdered by criminals, Johnny May Cash was shot and killed by his own girlfriend. Several days after news broke about the Chicago rapper's shocking death, it's revealed that it was his own girlfriend Brianna Gibbs who pulled the trigger.
Brianna, who was charged with first-degree murder, admitted to shooting Johnny after an altercation took place on April 17 in Gresham. She told detectives that he got violent with her, allegedly hitting her and pulling a chunk of her hair out before she shot him.
According to legal docs, police responded to a Shotspotter alert at a location near the 8400 block of South Aberdeen Street around 2:20 A.M. and discovered four spent 9-mm shell casings. Neither Johnny, who's the younger brother of Young Chop, a rapper and producer known for his work with Chief Keef, nor his girlfriend was still on the scene when police arrived. Authorities later found out that Johnny had been driven to Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Chicago by a friend where he was admitted with a gunshot wound to the thigh. The rapper later succumbed to his injury.
9. Archie Eversole
Archie Eversole is another rapper whose life was cut short by the one who's close to him. The Atlanta-based hip-hop artist was murdered by his own brother. Shockingly, he was shot in the face while he was asleep.
Archie, who was hospitalized after being shot, was able to respond to cops' questions before he took his last breath on April 3. According to the police report, the 37-year-old artist told cops someone had kicked open his bedroom door and he was awakened by a gunshot to his face on March 25, but he couldn't see who shot him.
His brother Alexander Krause, who initially told cops he was fine and just checking on his brother, was later arrested at Archie's home after police noticed fresh blood covering the front door and a trail of blood from the stairs to Archie's room where the blood-spattered door had been busted through. There was also blood all over the bed and the wall.
10. PnB Rock
PnB Rock's death was yet another that stunned the hip-hop community. The Philadelphia rapper was fatally shot during a robbery at the Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles restaurant on September 12 in Inglewood, Los Angeles. He was only 30 years old.
Los Angeles police Capt. Kelly Muniz confirmed that the shooting took place at 1:15 P.M. at the famous eatery on Main Street and Manchester Avenue. PnB Rock was shot while enjoying meal with his girlfriend Stephanie Sibounheuang, who posted their whereabouts on Instagram a few minutes before they were attacked. The late emcee was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at 1:59 P.M.
Stephanie initially came under fire due to her social media post. Police even investigated whether or not the photo played a role in the murder but it was found that three suspects were already targeting the couple in the parking lot of the eatery.
