Rappers killed by gun violence

The death of rapper Takeoff has shined a light on the amount of rappers killed by gun violence. Takeoff was a member of the rap group Migos.

Takeoff’s death is the latest in a trend that stretches back to 2018. Each year since then, gun violence has killed at least one rapper who was either already famous or on the cusp of crossover fame.

Takeoff”s shocking murder in Houston is just one of many young talents who tragically lost their lives due to gun violence in the last few years.

2018: XXXTentacion 

XXXTentacion was gunned down June 18, 2018, in an apparent robbery as he left a motorsports store in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Four men were arrested in connection with the rapper’s killing. The 20-year-old was wildly popular at the time of his death. He rocketed to fame after his song, “Look at Me,” went viral on social media and SoundCloud in 2016.

The rapper was not without controversy: He was accused of homophobia after telling a story on a podcast of choking and severely beating a cellmate he suspected was gay while they both were housed in a juvenile detention center. He had also been awaiting trial for a domestic violence incident involving his pregnant girlfriend.

2019: Nipsey Hussle 

Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot in March 2019 near a clothing store he owned. Shutterstock

Nipsey Hussle, an award-winning hip-hop artist was shot at least 10 times on March 31, 2019 in Los Angeles.

Authorities said Eric Holder fired the shots that killed Nipsey and wounded two other people. Holder, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the rapper’s death.

Nipsey had been well-known on the underground circuit, and he was gaining a mainstream following just before his death.

A year earlier, he launched the first Marathon Clothing smart store in Los Angeles. Nipsey also owned The Marathon Agency marketing company, investment firm SC Commercial Ventures and the record labels Proud 2 Pay and All Money In No Money Out Records, according to Press Atlantic Records.

The 33-year-old was nominated for best rap album during the 2019 Grammys for the only studio album he ever released, “Victory Lap.” He lost to Cardi B.

Beyond his music and businesses, Nipsey was a member of the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips but spoke out against rappers who would boast of purported gang affiliations to stunt or look cool – not because he wished them any violence, but to remind them that for too many young people, joining a gang was about survival.

2020: Pop Smoke

New York rapper Pop Smoke was murdered during a home invasion at a Hollywood Hills, California, residence February 19, 2020. 

Several people were detained and released following the rapper’s death. Witnesses told investigators that between two and six people broke into the home, one of them wearing a mask, Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Steve Lurie said.

Five people were arrested in connection with the slaying, two of whom were identified as juveniles. 

The 20-year-old was enjoying the success of his sophomore mixtape, “Meet the Woo 2,” the week before his killing. The project debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 album charts.

2020: King Von

Rapper King Von was killed outside a hookah lounge in Atlanta, Georgia.Prince Williams/WireImage/Getty Images

Chicago rapper King Von was one of two people fatally shot November 6, 2020, during an early morning exchange of gunfire outside an Atlanta hookah lounge, authorities said.

Two groups of men had been arguing in a parking lot around 3:30 a.m. and shots were fired, authorities said. 

Four other people were wounded by gunfire, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which investigated the shooting because police officers also fired their weapons.

Timothy Leeks, 22, was arrested in connection with the rapper’s death. The Atlanta Police Homicide Unit had arrest warrants against Leeks for felony murder. Two other men were also taken into custody in connection to the shooting, according to CNN affiliate WXIA-TV.

A week before his death, Von had released his debut studio album, “Welcome to O’Block.” His posthumous sophomore album, “What It Means to Be King,” was released March 4, 2022, and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, according to Billboard. 

2021: Young Dolph 

Memphis-based rapper Young Dolph was fatally shot while buying cookies November 17, 2021. 

The 36-year-old rapper was at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in Memphis when someone drove up and shot him, police said at the time. 

Three men were arrested in connection with Dolph’s death. Authorities identified them as Justin Johnson, 23, Shondale Barnett, 27, and Cornelius Smith, 32.

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis said additional arrests were possible as the investigation into Young Dolph’s death continues. Citizens’ tips were key in capturing the suspects, she said.

Dolph, a Chicago native who grew up in Memphis, released his debut album, “King of Memphis,” in 2016.

He went on to perform several hits, including “Blue Diamonds” and “RNB” featuring Megan Thee Stallion. His fifth studio album, 2020’s “Rich Slave,” rose to No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2017, he was nearly killed in a shooting incident in Hollywood. He spent weeks hospitalized after sustaining three gunshot wounds.

2022: PnB Rock

Rapper PnB Rock was shot September 12 while eating with his girlfriend at Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles in what appears to be a robbery, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore. Notably, Moore said a picture of the pair’s meal had been posted on Instagram, with the location tagged.

In September, police announced they had charged three people in connection with the killing, including a father and his minor son, who were charged with murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree robbery, according to the local prosecutor. A woman was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

PnB Rock was climbing the Billboard charts back in 2016 … but his career, and life, were tragically cut short when he was shot and killed in September during a robbery at a Roscoe’s in Los Angeles.

Here’s a more exhaustive list: