Rappers Who Died In 2022
The following article includes multiple mentions of gun violence.
When Takeoff tragically died on November 1, 2022, rap fans were shocked that yet another young artist had been killed in their prime by gun violence. The Migos rapper was only 28 when he was shot at a Houston bowling alley, per Rolling Stone, where he had been playing dice with his uncle and group member, Quavo. Takeoff's record label stated on Instagram, "Senseless violence and a stray bullet has taken another life from this world." The Houston police told the press that they didn't believe Takeoff was part of the fight that had broken out in the bowling alley, with Chief Troy Finner adding (via Fox44News.com), "We have no reason to believe that he was involved in anything criminal at the time."
Takeoff (real name Kirshnik Khari Ball) grew up alongside fellow Migos members Quavo and Offset in Georgia, and the trio created a distinctive flow, which helped them burst into the mainstream with songs like 2013's "Versace." Takeoff and Quavo had also just released their own album as a duo: their last music video for "Messy" dropped the day before Takeoff's death. Friends and fans of the late rapper flocked to social media to pay tribute after the sad news was announced, including Gucci Mane, Future, Desiigner, and Yung Miami. "We formed a brotherhood," Drake reflected on SiriusXM's "Sound 42." "... Tragic loss for all of us and a dark cloud over this business that we love so much."
Let's continue to honor the legacy of other rappers who sadly died in 2022, from genre-defining icons to up-and-coming young talents.
PnB Rock
Rapper PnB Rock died during an armed robbery at a Los Angeles waffle house in September 2022. As BBC News reported, he was having lunch with his girlfriend, social media influencer Stephanie Sibounheuang, and saved her life by pushing her under a table when a robber opened fire. The late musician, who was 30, received multiple gunshots. "My man saved my life," Sibounheuang wrote in part on Instagram. "... I'm not supposed to be here but bc of him. I am." His brother, fellow rapper PnB Meen, also confirmed the tragic loss on Instagram. "I can't stop crying bro," he shared, promising to look after PnB Rock's two young daughters. "I love you big brother with my whole entire Heart an soul."
Born Rakim Hasheem Allen in Philadelphia, PnB Rock had broken into the charts with his song "Selfish" in 2016. He later collaborated with Ed Sheeran and Chance the Rapper on "Cross Me" and Pop Smoke on "Backseat," before his sudden death sent shockwaves around the rap world. "My heart is hurting for the MOTHERS OF THESE KIDS that tried to make something better of their lives!!!" Nicki Minaj wrote on Twitter after the news broke. Meek Mill also expressed his grief, writing that seeing footage of the incident gave him "a sick feeling I can't even really explain" like every other time he saw a friend die. "It puts me more and more back in survival mentality!" Mill continued, adding, "Rip dawg you didn't deserve that."
Lil Keed
Travis Scott collaborator Lil Keed died of unknown causes in May 2022 at age 24.
The Atlanta rapper (whose real name is Raqhid Jevon Render) started out by making music with his little brother and scoring some viral hits online. As he told Complex in 2020, Young Thug was a mentor and an inspiration to him because they came from the same neighborhood. In 2018, Lil Keed featured on the Lil Uzi Vert song "Heavy Metal" and had his own hit single with "Nameless." Lil Keed then released his first album in 2019 — titled "Long Live Mexico" after his late friend, Mexico — and collaborated with Young Thug and Future. XXL also recognized his potential by putting him in their 2020 Freshman Class. "My goal and my intentions for my future? I wanna be a megastar," he told the magazine, explaining his ambitions. "I don't wanna be no superstar. ... I wanna try to be past Prince and Michael Jackson and 'em. And I know I can do it as long as I stay committed to what I'm doing."
His sudden death came after the rapper had been experiencing severe stomach pains, according to TMZ, and his organs began to fail after he went into the hospital. "Can't believe I seened u die today bro I did all my cries," his brother and fellow rapper, Lil Gotit, wrote on Instagram. "I know what you want me to do and that's go hard for Mama Daddy Our Brothers Naychur and Whiteboy."
JayDaYoungan
Fans of JayDaYoungan were devastated when the Louisiana rapper was killed in July 2022 after being ambushed by five gunmen outside his house.
After starting out as a SoundCloud musician, JayDaYoungan (real name Javorius Tykies Scott) had been popular online for songs like "Interstate," but it was "Elimination" that became his breakout hit in 2018. He stated that his ambition was to start his own label, telling Genius the following year: "Later on in my career, when I get to a certain point, I will be signing artists. ... Just perfecting my craft each and every day."
JayDaYoungan's father, Kenyatta Scott, was sitting with him outside their house in Bogalusa when his son was shot down and later told TMZ Hip Hop that the culprits had pulled up in a black truck. Scott was also shot in the arm, but JayDaYoungan lost too much blood after receiving at least eight gunshots and later died in a nearby hospital. After his death, his father insisted that JayDaYoungan should be remembered as a "good, humble, and respectful kid." He was only 24.
Trouble
Trouble died at age 34 in June 2022 after being shot during a home invasion in Atlanta, Georgia, per NBC News. The Rockdale County police explained in a press conference that the rapper had been visiting an unnamed female friend at the time. The suspected shooter, rather than being familiar with Trouble himself, had previously been involved in a domestic incident with her.
Born Mariel Semonte Orr, Trouble started rapping at age 14, as he told XXL. In his early career, he was praised by Complex for his authenticity and honesty about his past brushes with the law. He also frequently worked with other artists, like Yo Gotti and Waka Flocka Flame. After his career took off in 2018, Trouble appeared on the song "Bring It Back" with Drake and collaborated with The Weeknd on "Come Thru."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the children, loved ones, and fans of Trouble," his record label, Def Jam, wrote on Instagram. "A true voice for his city and an inspiration to the community he proudly represented. RIP Skoob." T.I. and Gucci Mane also paid tribute to the late rapper on Twitter.
Snootie Wild
Snootie Wild died in February 2022 after being shot in the neck in Houston. The "Yayo" rapper was 36 at the time of his death, as Deadline reported. "Gone in body, but your NAME & LEGACY will live forever!" his official Instagram posted, confirming the sad news.
The Memphis rapper (born LePreston Porter) was best known for his collaborations with Yo Gotti, T.I., and Master P. Snootie Wild released his own EP "Go Mode" in 2014 and followed it up with the "Ain't No Stoppin'" mixtape. The rapper also had a large family, who commemorated his passing in a statement published by Complex. "A son, loving boyfriend, brother to four sisters, a father of seven, and a nephew and cousin to a host of others, he held many roles within our family and was a big kid at heart," they wrote in part. "LePreston was a beautiful, compassionate and talented soul whose presence was ever felt within our family."
Snootie Wild's death came after he seemingly got into an argument with an unidentified man and woman over a road accident, as Houston police told ABC 13. "It looks like he backed in there [the ditch] accidentally. Then the other vehicle pulled up, and folks got out of the car," the authorities confirmed. "They were talking for a bit, and then all of a sudden, gunfire went off. Only one shot, actually." After the rapper was found next to his SUV, he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he later died.
TDott Woo
Up-and-coming rapper TDott Woo was killed in a shooting in February 2022, less than a day after signing his first big record deal.
As the New York Post reported, he was only 22 at the time of his death. His killers shot TDott Woo in the head and knee when he was walking around his local Canarsie neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, according to the police. "It's an honor to remain your friend until your last moments. Your memories will always stay with us no matter where we go & what we do," his record label, Million Dollar Music, wrote on Instagram. "... Just know his legacy will always live, from his laugh to the dance everyone across the world does, some of us know him a friend, brother, cousin or just a fan but we all come together to tell you FLY HIGH."
TDott Woo (real name Tahjay Dobson) had been known for inventing dances and working with other New York City rappers. He had been friends with the late rapper Pop Smoke, who was also from Canarsie and died in a similar drive-by shooting in Los Angeles two years prior, as the New York Daily News noted. "U Iconic gang !! Energy unmatched ... we gon miss u forever," Bronx rapper Lil Tjay promised on Instagram (via ABC 7). Another TDott Woo collaborator, Fivio Foreign (pictured, left), called him "the prince of this city" and insisted: "Imma miss you forever baby boy."
Wavy Navy Pooh
The rapper Wavy Navy Pooh was shot while driving a car with two children and an adult woman inside, as the Miami Herald reported, in January 2022. According to the local police, the musician died at the scene after being surprised by his killers on his way to a nearby zoo. Both the kids and the woman were unharmed.
This wasn't his first time getting shot: Wavy Navy Pooh (born Shandler Beaubien) previously received a gunshot wound in his leg in May 2020, and local law enforcement was reportedly already investigating his possible connections to other shootings. He had been 28 at the time of his death and had garnered an online fan base through songs like "M.I.A.M.I. (Murder is a Major Issue)." His label, Quality Control, mourned the loss on Instagram, confirming that the social media speculation had been true, and the rapper was dead.
"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the loss of one of our beloved artists, Wavy Navy Pooh," they posted (via Sky News). "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time." Virgin Records also released a statement, per CBS News, mourning the loss of a promising artist. "Wavy believed in giving back to his community, as well as sharing his hardship through his music," the label added. "Wavy, your Quality Control family loves and will forever miss you."
Lil Devin
Tragedy struck at Lil Devin's family home in January 2022 when the 24-year-old Indiana rapper was murdered at a New Year's Eve party by several masked intruders.
"It was traumatic — very traumatic [and] something that I wouldn't want anyone to ever go through," his brother, Donald Cox, shared with Fox 59. "I wouldn't wish that on anyone's family." He added that Lil Devin (real name Devin Swain) was "just one of those people that believed in me before I even believed in myself," insisting that he didn't deserve that fate. "We never really expected something like this to come about to such a phenomenal person," Donald reflected. The rapper's mother, Nanya Cox, later claimed to the outlet that somebody in Lil Devin's inner circle must have helped plan his death. "To know that he felt that type of pain and that somebody would do that to him breaks my heart," she stated.
The rapper had dropped his own album just a couple of months before his untimely death. "900 Vet" included songs like "Long as I'm Free/First Day Out," and he celebrated its release on Instagram, calling himself "just a small city N***a with big dreams." One of the young teenagers that Lil Devin mentored told Fox 59 that "he was all about all the kids staying in school, doing good, listen to your parents," adding, "He was a good, respectful, loving person."
Archie Eversole
Archie Eversole's death made headlines when it was revealed that the Atlanta rapper's own brother, Alexander Kraus, was charged with his murder, per Fox 5 Atlanta. The 37-year-old was shot in the home where he lived with that brother on March 25, 2022. Although the rapper survived long enough to seek help at a nearby store, he died nine days later at Grady Memorial Hospital. Eversole's mother has since claimed Kraus' innocence.
Born in Germany, Eversole started rapping as a young man in Atlanta. Best known for his crowd-pleasing 2002 hit "We Ready," which could often be heard at sports events, Eversole soon became a staple of the Dirty South rap scene. "He was a great and loving man," his nephew, Jordan Hughley, insisted to The Sun, explaining that Eversole was "really genuine and loved everyone."
The sports world also reacted to the shocking news. "This one hurts, fam. A lot," an Atlanta United supporters group wrote on Twitter. "Whether it was attending tailgates, his constant presence at games, or manning the capo stand, few Atlanta hip-hop stars embraced #ATLUTD as hard as Archie had." Former NFL star Robert Griffin III also paid tribute to the rapper behind what he dubbed "the greatest Game Day anthem ever," writing: "Rest In Peace Archie Eversole. Prayers up to his family and loved ones."
FBG Cash
Drill rapper FBG Cash was killed in a drive-by shooting in Chicago during the early hours of June 10, 2022. As ABC 7 Chicago reported, the 31-year-old rapper was in a car on the South Side with a woman who was also injured in the gunfire. Although he was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, FBG Cash was later pronounced dead. His rap group, Fly Boy Gang, had tragically already lost one member to gun violence: FBG Duck, another drill rapper, was shot down in broad daylight by four masked attackers in 2020.
Alongside rappers Lil Jay, Wooski, Billionaire Black, Young Mello, and FBG Dutchie, FBG Cash racked up millions of views on songs like "Back Again 2X's" and "Computer Murderers." He released his final music video, which was made for the song "Intro" only two weeks before his death. Fellow rapper Wiz Khalifa paid tribute to him in a concert soon after the sad news was announced, showing FBG Cash's picture during a live performance of "See You Again" alongside other artists who had recently died before their time.
DJ Kay Slay
DJ Kay Slay, aka the "Drama King" of rap, died in April 2022 from COVID-19 complications. He was 55 and had been put on a ventilator months earlier, according to hip-hop manager Wack100. "Our hearts are broken by the passing of Keith Grayson, professionally known as DJ Kay Slay," his family wrote in a statement published by Hot 97, describing him as "a dominant figure in hip-hop culture with millions of fans worldwide." They also thanked "all of his friends, fans, and supporters for their prayers and well wishes during this difficult time," while requesting privacy during their mourning period.
The New Yorker began as a graffiti artist but started performing as a DJ with his own mixtapes in the '90s, as he told The New York Times in 2003. "I told myself I would be so big that one day the same people I was begging for records would be begging me to play their records," DJ Kay Slay explained. In addition to releasing his own albums, like "The Soul Controller" and "More Than Just a DJ," the artist later became known for giving air-time to feuds like Nas vs. Jay-Z or 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule, introducing the world to their diss tracks.
Coolio
Rap legend Coolio was 59 when he died on September 28, 2022. The "Gangsta's Paradise" artist was found on a friend's bathroom floor in Los Angeles. Sources cited by TMZ Hip Hop revealed that paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, and his manager, Jarez, later suggested that Coolio's cause of death was cardiac arrest.
He started rapping as a teenager in Compton and joined the group WC and the Maad Circle in the early '90s. As a solo artist, Coolio had his first hit with "Fantastic Journey." But it was "Gangsta's Paradise," a Grammy-winning track that sampled Stevie Wonder and became Billboard's single of the year in 1995, that made him internationally famous. After that global success, Coolio went on to star in reality TV, release cookbooks, and create the theme song for "Kenan & Kel."
A wide range of fans and celebrities paid tribute to Coolio after his death, including contemporaries like LL Cool J and Snoop Dogg. "This is sad news. I witness first hand this man's grind to the top of the industry," Ice Cube tweeted. Meanwhile, Michelle Pfeiffer recalled how "Gangsta's Paradise" had been used in her movie "Dangerous Minds," which is why she also appeared in the music video. "I remember him being nothing but gracious," she wrote in part on Instagram, adding that, in her opinion, Coolio's most famous tune "was the reason our film saw so much success." The actor added, "30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power Artis Leon Ivey Jr."