Rapper Drakeo the Ruler fatally stabbed at LA music competition

By Associated Press

LOS ANGELES: A West Coast rapper referred to as Drakeo the Ruler was fatally stabbed in an altercation at a Los Angeles music competition the place he was scheduled to carry out, leaving followers of the younger musician heartbroken.

A publicist for the rapper, Scott Jawson, confirmed his demise on Sunday to the New York Times and Rolling Stone. The artist’s actual title was Darrell Caldwell.

Caldwell, 28, was assaulted Saturday night time on the Once Upon a Time in LA live performance, which was anticipated to characteristic a number of artists, together with Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Ice Cube. Organizers known as off the competition after the stabbing.

A battle broke out behind the primary stage shortly after 8:30 p.m., leaving one man severely injured by a suspect wielding an edged weapon, the California Highway Patrol stated in a naked bones information launch that didn’t title Caldwell. The sufferer was taken to a hospital, the place he later died.

The Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department additionally responded.

LAPD spokesman Officer Luis Garcia instructed the Los Angeles Times that no arrests had been made as of Sunday.

Music journalists and followers delighted in Caldwell’s distinctive sound and boundless creativity. His demise highlighted the violent demise of different proficient younger Black musicians, together with fellow LA rapper Nipsey Hussle in 2019 and the extremely influential Tupac Shakur in 1996. Both males have been shot.

Snoop Dogg posted on social media condolences to Caldwell’s household and prayers to these affected by the tragedy. “I’m praying for peace in hip hop,” he stated.

Caldwell, who began releasing mixtapes in 2015 and this previous February debuted his first album “The Truth Hurts,” has been known as “the most original stylist on the West Coast” for his darkly comedic lyrics and deadpan supply. His mixtape “Thank You for Using GTL” accommodates verses recorded on the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

He grew up listening to acts like Hot Boyz, Boosie, Webbie and Dipset, however stated it was a battle rapper named Cocky who influenced him to rap.

“He was so smooth and calm while rapping, despite saying some of the craziest stuff,” he instructed Billboard earlier this 12 months. “It showed me you didn’t have to yell or be loud to get your point across.”

Caldwell pioneered a kind of rap known as “nervous music,” with songs that have been cryptic and darkish, the Los Angeles Times wrote in 2018: “His cadences run counterclockwise to the drums, in some way each herky-jerky like a stickshift and swift and easy like a luxurious sports activities automotive it controls.”

Caldwell was launched from jail in November 2020 after reaching a plea take care of LA County prosecutors who wished to attempt him on conspiracy costs within the 2016 killing of a 24-year-old man. Previously he had been acquitted of felony homicide and tried homicide costs within the man’s demise.

The Once Upon a Time in LA Fest confirmed in an Instagram submit that the occasion had been known as off early, and didn’t give a purpose.

The competition was organized by Live Nation, the Beverly Hills-based reside occasions firm that was behind final month’s Astroworld music competition in Houston, Texas.

Ten individuals have been killed and a whole lot injured when a big crowd surged throughout a efficiency by the rapper Travis Scott.

In an e-mail Sunday, Live Nation declined to elaborate on the altercation or present particulars on safety for the occasion.