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The Art And Profiteering Of Death: 100 Rappers Who Were Murdered

The Art And Profiteering Of Death: 100 Rappers Who Were Murdered

rappers murdered

Photo: (L-R) Drakeo the Ruler (Walik Goshorn/MediaPunch /IPX), FBG Cash in his video for "YB Flow" (Official FBGCash via YouTube), Young Dolph (mpi04/MediaPunch /IPX) Dayvon "King Von" Bennett (provided to NPR courtesy of the artist).

1. Lil Devin: Hip-hop ‘MVP’

Lil Devin Swain was known for tracks such as “MVP” and his remix to Coi Leray’s “No Parties.” Indiana-born Swain was ringing in New Year 2022 with a celebration at a relative’s house when he was attacked and killed by several men wearing back ski masks who bum-rushed the party, Complex reported. Devin, 24, suffered “injuries to his chest.” He was transported to a hospital, where he died. 

2. Wavy Navy Pooh: Cut down in Miami

Wavy Navy Pooh image: Instagram

Miami artist Wavy Navy Pooh (born Shandler Beaubien) was killed in an ambush shooting while driving with two young children on Jan. 14, 2022. The children, ages 1 and 5, and a woman in the car were not hurt. NBC Miami reported that the 28-year-old Wavy Navy Pooh was stopped at a light when a car pulled alongside and someone inside opened fire, killing him.

He is most recognized for his “Money On My Head” song with Moneybagg Yo. He was signed to Quality Control Music — home to hit-marking artists Lil Baby, Migos, and the City Girls.

3. TDott Woo: Drive-by in Brooklyn

Brooklyn drill artist TDott Woo had just signed a deal with Million Dollar Music when he was killed hours later in a shooting in a New York City neighborhood, ABC News reported. On the afternoon of Feb. 1, 2022, the 22-year-old artist, who was born Tahjay Dobson, was struck in the head and left knee in a drive-by shooting.

4. Snootie Wild: Memphis-made hip-hop

Snootie Wild attends the BET Hip Awards 2015 at the Atlanta Civic Center, Oct. 9, 2015 (Photo: Rtnmarshall/MediaPunch/IPX)

Memphis artist Snootie Wild made a splash in 2014 with the radio anthem “Yayo” and its remix featuring Fabolous, Jadakiss, French Montana, and Y.G. Signed to Yo Gotti’s CMG imprint, Snootie went on to release other popular singles such as “Made Me” with K Camp and 2016’s “Rich or Not,” Cheat Sheet reported. 

Snootie, whose legal name is LePreston Porter, was killed on Feb. 26, 2022 in a shooting in Houston, Texas. Police found Snootie in a ditch with a gunshot wound to the neck. He later died at the hospital. Snootie was 36.

5. Goonew: Funeral ‘appearance’ made headlines

Washington, D.C., artist Goonew was shot on March 18, 2022, in Prince George’s County and pronounced dead at a hospital. Family members reportedly believe that Goonew, real name Markelle Morrow, was killed in a robbery. He was 24.

In April, he was back in the news when his corpse was propped up and standing at his funeral, which was held in a nightclub. The funeral, named The Final Show, was held at Bliss Nightclub in D.C. Video footage from the event showed Goonew’s embalmed corpse overlooking the crowd, fully dressed and wearing a crown, TMZ reported.

6. Trouble: Atlanta’s own hip hop

Atlanta hip-hop artist Trouble, whose birth name is Mariel Semonte Orr, was found shot at an apartment complex in June 2022. He later died at a local hospital east of Atlanta, according to ABC News.

The 34-year-old musician was fatally shot while sleeping in the apartment of a female companion. Jamichael Jones, 33, turned for the murder. Jones is the ex-boyfriend of the woman whose house Trouble was in, and he had physically abused her previously, according to a warrant obtained by WXIA-TV.

Trouble, who launched his career in 2011, was also known as Skoob and had collaborated with artists including Drake, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Gucci Mane and 2 Chainz. One of his standout songs was “Ain’t My Fault.” He had also been in the public eye for his past relationship with social media star Alexis Skyy, AllHipHop reported.

7. C-Hii Wvttz: Drill driveby

Drill artist C-Hii Wvttz, 18, was killed in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 6, 2022, when he was gunned down while leaving an Airbnb-turned-studio at 2 a.m. Born Jayquan McKenley, C-Hii Wvttz died after assailants opened fire on his parked car, the New York Daily News reported. 

A car pulled up alongside him and allegedly opened fire and killed the “Geeked” artist from the Bronx. C-Hii Wvttz’s father called the New York drill scene “devil’s music” in an interview with Fox5, HipHopDX reported. “Our hip-hop is no longer hip-hop anymore,” he said.

8. MoneyGangVontae: Robbery gone wrong

MoneyGangVontae image: Instagram

L.A. Drill artist MoneyGangVontae, 27, was shot and killed on June 9, 2022 after being followed into a New York City pharmacy in what police said was a robbery. Vontae was robbed of his chain and money after the four men entered a pharmacy in the Bronx.

In security video footage the artist, who was born Avanti Frowner, can be seen fighting with the gunman. 

He was in New York for a scheduled performance, “but made the fatal mistake of posting several Instagram photos of himself wearing a valuable chain outside of a Bronx bodega. The suspects ultimately tracked him down and the fight ensued,” HipHopDX reported. Vontae was shot multiple times in the chest and the suspects fled, ABC News reported.

10. Archie Eversole: Brother arrested

Beloved Atlanta rapper Arthur Lee “Archie” Eversole, 37, died April 3, 2022, from a gunshot wound to his jaw. The injured artist was found at a Chevron gas station by DeKalb County Police on March 25, after being shot in the face at his home while he slept, Daily Mail reported. Police are unsurer how he got to the gas station. He was best known for his 2002 single, “We Ready.” His brother, Alexander Krause, was later arrested for his murder.