Like everyone who lives in Los Angeles, I’ve spent time at the Beverly Center mall near Beverly Hills. Never imagined it would earn a place in hip-hop infamy as a homicide scene.This afternoon, a 21-year-old Atlanta rapper known as Dolla was shot in the head at the valet parking stand... waiting for his car.
Dolla, who reportedly came to L.A. to finish work on his debut album, has been rapping since the age of 12. Lately he had worked with Akon and T-Pain.
The Los Angeles Times report on the killing is here. No idea yet why Dolla was targeted. A suspect was arrested at the airport an hour later.
Disregarding the show-business element and the Beverly Hills element... this shit happens 20 times a day in America. A young black person murdered by another black person. And nobody talks about it. Least of all black folks.
Twenty times a day... every day.
Anyhow... here is one of Dolla’s music videos:
Twenty times a day huh? Sad part about it is that statistic ain't gonna die down any time soon man...it hits close to home, a cousin of mine was murdered last month, as well as my best friend a month before that, and another close friend in January. Left and right man.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless him and his family in this difficult time. I wasn't familiar with his work but know that he was an up and comer in rap.
ReplyDeleteWHOA!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis just connected to me. I drove past the Beverly Center yesterday (as I do most days) and saw all the cop cars and one of the entrances blocked off with police tape. A very unusual sight for that location.
Now I know why.
Rappers die, man. I mean, blues men would die, but not at this rate. Is it the most dangerous artistic profession?
Too many talented guys making (or about to make) a little bit of money who hang out with "the wrong crowd", as momma would say.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteThis is soooo true!!
Black homicide happens so often that no one is appalled anymore ...except those who are grieving...
*shaking my head*
UBM, I was wishing for you to come out of retirement, but wishing it wasn't for a tragic murder.
ReplyDeleteBe well sir.
Now I know I'm getting old when I don't even recognize the name of the rapper who got murdered. Senseless, tragic, but UBM is right...black on black crime is unfortunately, nothing new.
ReplyDeleteNow I know I'm getting old when I don't even recognize the name of the rapper who got murdered.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, DRE. Sad but funny.
Woe: Sorry it's been hitting so close to home.
ReplyDeleteIs it the most dangerous artistic profession?
ReplyDeletePro wrestlers probably have a shorter life expectancy. But they don't be getting shot.
artlung: Thanks for the good wishes. Habits are hard to break.
ReplyDeleteUBM: Glad *some* habits are hard to break.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers go out to the family. This story is sad, but common. I don't think there has ever been a time in our history where young black people were in this much constant danger - from each other.
LOOK AT THE DAMMM VIDEO!
ReplyDeleteWhat other outcomes do you expect our babies to have. 2009 and we are in the worst condition, as a people, we have ever been. THESE are the topics that need to be discussed, not the outcomes because it's to late then! You got this trash (MUSIC) that our kids listen to, crime in our neighboor hoods and no one wants to say anything because they don't want to be "sellouts", the elders do not teach the history of our people instead they continue to dance with these devils and chastise the young generation when they step up to the plate. No respect among our women, look at these dammn magazine covers/videos. Spirituality is out the dammn door, without this we are like a man with no legs! I tell you what Black people we better break these mental chains or we will in a very bad place in the future. This goes for EVERYONE. The ones who know better teach the ones who do not know!
And it's now turned into Six Feet Undercover Black Man.
ReplyDelete--bad dad
I've never heard of him. And I clicked on the video. Music laced with curses so I lasted about 5 seconds.
ReplyDeleteThere is more to this story.
Lynn
Unfortunately, the killer is known to many people, but do not snitch. It pisses the bad guys off...
ReplyDeleteMeyer Lansky retired.
ReplyDeleteCapone, Diamond, Dillenger et. al. got killed or went to prison.
If your game is that out in the open, expect some problems.
Oh my God! I feel like it's Eid. I was just checking the sight for an article and thought I was dreaming. I missed this blog dearly. I love the community vibe here. Ya'll just having a secret party up in here, but that's OK I'm here now. :)
ReplyDeleteTravel Advisory for Rappers Visiting the West Coast:
ReplyDeleteLA gangs will kill you. Learn from, Biggie, and now Dolla, LA gangsters are real. This is not a hip-hop song. They kill for fame. Use extreme caution in all parts of the city, including Beverly Hills and if traveling to Vegas, do not assume you are safe. Gangs will travel (see: Pac). Traveling to the Hood should be avoided at all cost.
Peace be upon you Dolla.
UBM, I'm surprised you say that nobody discusses such killings, least of all Black folks. I'm guessing you're implying something you're not directly stating, because you must know that people, including Afrikans in North America, do indeed discuss murder of other Afrikans. So--and I ask this non-rhetorically--what do you really mean? My question isn't combative or sly; I'm really trying to get to what you intend. (And no, I don't expect you to use the word "Afrikans".)
ReplyDeleteFuk Dolla....Dey Put A Hit on his head..4 fukin wit Florida Niggahz..
ReplyDelete