After Robinson was arrested, a record company offered to pay for his bond. Despite the sometimes heartbreaking lyrics heard in the music videos, Johnsons mother feels they could help the police. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Many of the citys rappers make songs about street life in Duval County, and they all do it fromdifferent perspectives. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the sound of Jacksonville hip-hop started to shift away from glossy party music. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The music and beats heard in the music videos are catchy, and millions of people have heard the songs on YouTube and other streaming services. Dozens of YouTube channels are chronicling the origins of this beef, most notably are QuietRoom, hosted by Queenzflip who documents and facilitates rap battles, TrapLife Documentaries, which documents criminal activities in the rap scene, and Insider Hotspot, which covers "lifestyles, struggles and secrets" of rappers, according to its YouTube channel. Marshals Service offereda $5,000 reward for information that ledto his arrest. Even for those who have found success, though, it has always felt like there was a glass ceiling on rappers trying to emerge from Jacksonville. JUST IN | Hakeem Robinson, a Jacksonville rapper whos also known as Ksoo, has been indicted on a charge of first-degree murder. While they wait for justice, the music videos coming mostly from two rival rap groups in Jacksonville have gained popularity across the country with songs glorifying their sons murders. Florida is one of the biggest States in hip hop - the State has produced several influential figures like Rick Ross, Trina, Trick Daddy, Uncle Luke, Kodak Black, and many more. Robinson Sr. is. A lot of times the rap videos sends out a message, and youve got to pay close attention to the lyrics of it. Not to be outdone by ATK, Julio Foolio released a diss track of his own Friday called "When I See You," a remix of recording artist Fantasia's hit single "When I See U." Ksoo, whos helped popularize the murder rap genre, is believed to be a member. Two weeks later, Damon Rothermel was shot and killed while riding his bicycle on Emerson Street. Unforgiveness for me is like me taking poison and expecting someone else to die. The shooting victims had just left a rap music event at Paradise Gentlemens Club on Baymeadows Road. He was in the car with family members who were also injured. There's a deadly feud happening here, which is nothing new, but now it's taking place on social media for all to see. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. Dont wish jail on nobody, I swear they need to free that man so he can catch a head shot, Julio Foolio raps. Smoke Durk and Bibby to the face though," Robinson raps in the song. He had just performed at the club. A witness reportedly told the authorities that around the time of the shooting, she heard a man banging on apartments and calling for help. It is unclear if police have suspects or persons of interest at the time of this publication. In a twisted show of love, respect and honor, several people who were close to the rapper reportedly smoked some of his cremated remains. So keep talking, Jackson said. February 20, 2023 at 11:18 am EST. Bullard survived despite being shot eight times and has gone on to find increasing fame with nearly 3 million followers on Instagram and a deal with a major record label. Although some rappers have done interviews with national hip-hop journalists, none of them agreed to interview with News4Jax. Robinsons father, Abdul Robinson Sr., is charged with accessory to murder after the fact and his brother Abdul Robinson Jr., is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting. The rapper also calls out Hakeem Robinson by his rap name, Ksoo, and references his current incarceration. Its not funny. Further investigation revealed photos of guns on Hakeem Robinson's Instagram account, plus a music video by McCormick with the caption "Byeeee byeeee" and emojis of waving hands, the warrant said. Officials said that Balzado, who was wearing a seatbelt, began to drift after approaching a curve while travelling south on State Highway 42. Copyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. Luckily the man who was shot survived despite being hit twice with high caliber ammunition. Three days after Whitaker was arrested, Arlisa Tarver, a JSO employee, was arrested for alerting gang members of pending arrest warrants. The sheriff said the videos are used to glorify guns, drugs and intimidate rival groups or gangs "that can lead to acts of retaliation and drive-by shootings.". He was allegedly leaving a studio near Aventura in Miami, Florida, when his car was attacked. Watch a news report about the tragedy as well as a music video from 320Popout below. Fulton County Sheriff's Office records show he was arrested Friday in the Atlanta area on a warrant for fugitive from justice on a murder charge, awaiting extradition back to Jacksonville. "He physically cannot be the shooter," DeCoste wrote in a December Instagram post, reports News4Jax. In 2019, there were 131 murders in the city, and in 2020 that number shot up to 176. Jacksonvilles most popular rappers started borrowing sounds from Cash Money Records, Trill Ent, and the Chicago drill scene to create gritty music that more accurately depicted what the streets of Jacksonville are really like. Jacksonville rapper Spinabenz faces trial delay on firearms charges Share Watch on The rapper will likely spend the extra weeks behind bars since his bond was revoked for allegedly removing his ankle monitor. The rappers in Jacksonville are taking violence, hip hop and videos to the extreme. he was on the come up fr dude was talented. 21-year-old Joshua Holmes was shot and killed at the Shore House Apartments in Arlington. Not every Jacksonville artist makes drill music, nor do they all have public beef, but thats whats getting most of the attention from new fans tuning into the citys rap scene right now. Died: November 5, 2022 Aaron Carter is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, actor, and record producer. Barner told detectives he was driving the Nissan with Hakeem Robinson andLeroy G.Whitakeras they searched for McCormick "with the specific intent of killing him," the warrant said. Just days later, Medina Ulloa savagely murdered the kind good Samaritan. Then-24-years-old, Medina Ulloa was accused of stabbing Cuellar "numerous times and repeatedly hitting him with a chair,". The intruders dressed in clothing found in her husband's closet, then someone drove up and fled with the pair. In my heart, I feel like its someone that he knew because Corbin wouldnt just leave with anyone, Jackson said. Who I Smoke is a new hip hop song that is going viral on Tiktok. It could be drugs, it could be something as simple as me making a rap song about you and you dont like it. Thanks to the rise of local street rappers, essential songs like Who U Tellin, Buckin Da Jack, and Got Fye helped inspire a new direction for the city that we still hear today. The officer chased the car until it crashed on nearby Townsend Boulevard, and three people inside ran away. On one hand, a lot of these young artists are now in better situations to feed their families. The earliest mainstream success for Jacksonville came in 1994 when the 69 Boyz dropped the classic party record Tootsee Roll, followed by the Quad City DJs 1996 hit Cmon N Ride It. Fast forward to 2010, and artists like Tokyo Jetz and Yung Trap (now known as Trap Beckham) were able to make a name for themselves. Four shot, three dead in the worst way. Jacksonville rappers are making music videos about real murders. Officers say upon arrival they found a man shot in or near his SUV. There are hundreds of videos on YouTube describing what both acronyms mean with some slight variations. "Unfortunately these advances in technology also provide the criminal element with a new platform to promote their trade in the street culture market," Williams said. Went out to eat on his birthday. "You'll get hella high," he said. The father of Jacksonville rapper Ksoo will testify against his son in the 23-year-old's upcoming first-degree murder trial. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Specializes in Clay County issues, general assignment reporting and stories off the beaten path and anchors weekend evening newscasts. Historically speaking, Jacksonville has been one of the more violent cities in Florida, but things have become progressively worse in recent years. Arrested in that shooting was 19-year-old Deontrae Thomas. The diss track uses A Thousand Miles as a back track, coming after deceased rappers Bibby, Teki, and Lil Nine, who the guys are supposedly smoking in the clip. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. A Jacksonville neighborhood turned into the set of a music video on Monday when superstar rapper Lil Baby and Jacksonville rapper Nardo Wick took over a corner store in Arlington. Unfortunately Joshua, who went by the Rap moniker 320Popout, passed away after being shot and killed in his hometown of Jacksonville at an apartment complex. Video. Deeply loved. In 2021, a new Jacksonville rap song seems to be going viral every other week, with tracks like Who I Smoke, When I See You, and BeatBox, racking up tens of millions of plays. Family members tell First Coast News that Joshua Holmes, 21, was shot and killed at the Shore House Apartments on Monday night. The entire music video, directed by TeoShotThis, takes place on a golf course as Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace, and FastMoney Goon look seriously out of place in preppy clothing, smoking cigars and hurling threats at their opps. There were 116 murders reported at the same time last year. "In no way do we discount the pain caused to those that loved the man that was murdered. He kept dissin on me, now hes smoking twenty-three, Julio Foolio sings in the chorus. Facebook Twitter Email Pinterest Tumblr Reddit LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Messenger Share Posted in News 50 Comments One of the mothers of a murder victim mentioned in a song told News4Jax she reached out to YouTube, asking if they could take one of the videos down, but the company never responded. ), Julio Foolio says in one song. MTO News learned that a popular Jacksonville rapper appears to have shot one of his opps multiple times and the rapper snitched on himself by posting a video of the shooting onto Instagram Live. Court records show Robinson Sr. has agreed to testify as a witness for the state in the McCormick case. A year later, his remains were found in a wooded area. All he did was laugh and dance," Gainer's mother, Elizabeth Gainer, told News4Jax. He was joy. Robinson Sr. is facing three felony charges that could amount to 90 years in prison, although his cooperation with prosecutors may reduce that. First Coast News spoke with the victim's cousin, Roderick Holmes, who tells us the victim was 21-year-old Joshua Holmes. Now, ten years after his first vicious dig at someone's grave, he's . Another video, also posted after McCormick's death, showed Hakeem Robinson getting a pedicure as a caption read "Kill a n----- then go get my toes done.". He allegedly killed Adrian "Bibby" Gainer in February 2019 and Charles "Lil Buck" McCormick in January 2020. He's currently in Duval County jail on no bond. An eye-witness tells First Coast News, she heard a man banging on apartments and calling for help around the time of the shooting. C urtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent is known as an American rapper, producer, actor, and entrepeneur who has met wils success throughout his career. 20. Waters said ATK may be linked to more than a dozen Jacksonville murders and other crimes committed in response to perceived insults. He allegedly shot Gainer at an apartment complex, police said. Holmes was a rapper in Jacksonville who performed under the name 320Popout. Who I smoke, Lil Nine, Yungeen Ace says during the songs chorus. Somebody like Lil Poppa delivers his message with a lot of melody, while an artist like Foolio attacks his songs with much more aggressive energy. Then in early 2020, McCormick was shot and killed in Arlington during the daytime ambush in a shopping plaza. They are focused solely on this issue, Waters said. Bullard was the only survivor of an ambush shooting on Town Center Parkway in 2018 that left three others dead, including his brother. While many of these shootings were playing out on social media and in the streets, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Gang Task Force used rap videos to make arrests. - Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams. The wildly disrespectful lyrics on a track like Who I Smoke, which includes disses about deceased rivals, is bringing unprecedented national attention to the city this year. Brown, was Julio Foolio's cousin. "Who I Smoke" is a disturbing twist on Vanessa Carltons A Thousand Miles. The main hook of the song is Ace singing the catchy phrase "who I smoke" followed by the name of an KTA rival. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office later. But MTO News has learned that in the lyrics to the song, the rappers all from Jacksonville confess to allegedly killing at least three people. Police also charged 23-year-old Janera Jaranee Smith with accessory after the fact, jail records show. Artists like Foolio point out how fans involve themselves in conflicts and magnify violent situations. Avril Lavigne and Tyga Continue to Fuel Dating Rumors in Wake of Mod Sun Breakup, Shania Twain Reveals If Ex Robert 'Mutt' Lange Is Still With Former Friend Marie Anne After Affair, Former Letlive Guitarist Jeff Sahyoun Gets Candid About Carving New 'Path in Music' With Electronic-Rock Project Erase Theory (Exclusive), Watch: Demi Lovato Fights Off Raging Ghostface in 'Scream 6' Music Video for 'Still Alive', Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood Delight With Surprise Performance. Sometimes theyll tell that someones been murdered. One of the six defendants in McCormicks murder, Dominique Barner, also agreed to cooperate with investigators. "Social media has impacted our society in many ways. Barner told police that when McCormick came out of the business, Robinson jumped out of the rear passenger seat, chased McCormick down and shot him with an AR pistol, the warrant states. Bullard was the only survivor of an ambush on Town Center Parkway in 2018 that left three others dead, including his brother. What many thought was a joke turned out to be serious. In Who I Smoke, a music video with rappers believed to represent ATK, lyrics reference at least three people that were killed in Jacksonville shootings in recent years. ", several people who were close to the rapper reportedly smoked some of his cremated remains, JSO arrested several men, solely for what they were doing on social media, Father, son arrested after Jacksonville rapper shot to death in January, Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace shows softer side in interview with 'Genius'. An openly bisexual musician, Aaron Carter serves as an inspiration to the LGBTQ community. All rights reserved. He said Ksoos issues with McCormick started after the decedent talked [disparagingly] about [rapper] Willie Addison. In the past two weeks, six people have been arrested and linked to both killings. It started Jan. 16, 2019, when rapper Willie Addison, known as Boss Goon, was killed and five others were wounded in Spring Park. The cover included an image of Zion Brown, who was shot and killed in a 2017 triple shooting. Arrests continuedwithDominique Jerrod Barner, 27,charged on March 19, 2020, with second-degree murder and aggravated fleeing an officer. In an Aug. 27 interview, investigators said, Barner acknowledged he was driving the car that was involved in the murder of McCormick. While this deadly beef apparently started a few years ago, Yungeen Ace's and Julio Foolio's new viral music videos may suggest it's just getting started. Two of the men ran intoa house where the homeowner tried to flee. The father of viral rapperKsoo will reportedly testify against his son in his upcoming first-degree murder trial. Fatal shooting at Shore House Apartments in Arlington, Man shot dead by security guard at Florida supermarket. A lot of these rappers are tangled up in unresolved beef with each other, which is openly referenced on songs. 5.6k. "Went out to eat on his birthday - four shot, three dead in the worse way - he kept dissin' on me - no he's smokin' 23 ". Dominique Barner, who has connections to ATK, and two others were charged with murder in connection with Rothermels death. And whenever anyone outside the state talks about Florida rap, they almost always bring up Southern regions like Miami and Broward County. The group was out celebrating a friends birthday. Its not clear what injuries the victim suffered but MTO News can confirm that he survived the shooting. Police have not released any suspect information or a motive for the shooting. In the video which was posted on IG Live the Jacksonville rapper appeared to post surveillance footage which shows him pulling a large caliber firearm, and chasing after one of his opps. For now, since the lyrics about the murders arent a chargeable offense, the mothers hope people will speak up and give police information about the crimes if they know something so they can finally have justice for their sons. He was just a baby, she said. Smoke Durk and Bibby to the face though, Ksoo says in his music video for Ksoo B***h.. * The above video is from a previous article originally published Aug. 12, 2021 Attorneys for a Jacksonville rapper accused in two separate homicides are asking a Duval County Circuit Court judge . As reported by First Coast News,Abdul Robinson Sr. agreed to cooperate with prosecutors after both of his sons were charged in 2020. Lyrics from one of Ksoos music videos also mentions Adrian Gainer by his nickname Bibby., N**** never play with Ksoo. There's something really sick happening in Jacksonville and it's hard to unsee. Yungeen Ace, whose real name is Kenyata Bullard, pleaded no contest in an Orange Park robbery that occurred seven months before Brown's murder. Two weeks later, Damon Rothermel was shot and killed while riding his bicycle on Emerson Street. Nardo Wick Now, one of the hottest rappers in the rap game, Nardo Wick's release of one of the top rap albums of 2021, Who is Nardo Wick?, helped him to make the rounds, topped the charts, and conquered almost all the headlines. Most of those impacts are positive," Williams said during a news conference Jan. 30, 2019 where he, the mayor and State's Attorney announced the arrests of six convicted felons who were seen with firearms in rap videos. Willie Addison, a rapper known as Boss Goon, was killed. Yungeen Ace, whose legal name is Kenyatta Bullard, is affiliated with ATK and is one of the biggest Jacksonville rappers on the scene right now. This isnt an exhaustive listtheres a lot of exciting talent coming out of the city right nowbut these are some of the up-and-coming rappers who you should be paying attention to right now. Rappers Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace and FastMoney Goon released a video three weeks ago of a track called "Who I Smoke." So I spoke with some of the most promising and important rappers coming from Jacksonville about the past and future of the citys rap scene, as well as their own personal success. The following February, Julio Foolio's little 16-year-old brother Adrian Dennard Gainer Jr., aka Bibby was killed. Copyright 2023 PopCulture.com. Its a range of things. Yungeen Ace was the target in a retaliatory shooting for Brown's death in June 2018 when he and three other teens went to a Town Center restaurant to celebrate the rapper's brother's birthday. (Damn.) But beyond all the shock value is an undeniably talented new era of rappers, who are all drawing attention to themselves in their own ways. He was 18. JSO Chief of Investigations T.K. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Some suspectsalso face murder charges in theFeb. 25,2019, shooting death of16-year-old rapper Adrian Gainer, aka Bibby, in the Hilltop Village Apartments,court records said. The same way our job is to wake up and rap, its almost as if some of these fans jobs is to wake up and troll under Foolios comment section.. ATK is listed on Apple Music under Ksoos music, but the ATK website is not active and reads Opening Soon., A post shared by ESPN 98 (@julio_foolio). These rivalries have sparked beefs that turned deadly, most notable, in the 1990's - East Coast vs. West Coast - which resulted in the murders of arguably the two best in the industry, Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. DIY 'Green Monster' runner set to run in final Gate River Run, Missing 2.5-year-old drowned in pond, Jacksonville police say. Social media is the "gang graffiti of the 1980's." Says He Has No Beef With Boosie Badazz: Someone Misspoke, Sauce Walka Reportedly Arrested In Miami On Drug Charges, Post Malone Allegedly Blows Off Deposition Over $350K Split From Ex-Girlfriend, Musiq Soulchild Reflects On A Past Love On Hit-Boy-Produced I Remember You My Ex, Grandmaster Flash Surprises Fans With Masked Singer Appearance: Its A Great Show, Pooh Shiesty Ordered To Pay Restitution To Victims Of 2020 Shooting, Larry June & The Alchemist Announce Joint Album The Great Escape, Nicki Minaj Returns With New 2000s-Sampling Single Red Ruby Da Sleeze. It has taken off like a rocket with 14 million views in that timespan. Deontrae Thomas (left) and Kenyata Bullard, aka Yungeen Ace, were arrested following an Orange Park robbery. He even created a T-shirt airbrushed with a photo of Royale D'Von Smith Jr., aka 23, that said "Rest in piss 23." But my mind changed when I noticed that the only people covering Jacksonville rap were not from the city, so they were getting a lot of information wrong and found themselves in a position to sensationalize and poke fun at serious situations without repercussions. 2:23. Meanwhile, Ksoo has pleaded not guilty to the charges. News4Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said social media accounts and rap videos are often monitored by investigators because they will give coded clues about feuds between rival gangs. In a way, the music video lyrics are merely descriptions of crimes, not confessions. They later fled the scene and crashed in a nearby neighborhood before escaping the police. In October 2021, News4Jax reported that Robinson was among several Jacksonville rappers whose lyrics referenced real murders. Example video title will go here for this video, Daily Blast Live: Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Who I smoke, Teke. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. For assistance with WJXTs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801. Adrian Gainer Jr. was shot and killed Feb. 25, 2019,. The two other men were Royale D'Von Smith Jr., 18, and Jercoby Da'Shad Groover, 19. While Fantasia's "When I See U" is her singing about her nervous feelings when she sees the guy she's swooning over, Julio Foolio's "When I See You" is him rapping about someone he hates, Yungeen Ace, and what he'd like to do to him when he sees him. Tom Hanks SON SHOOTS HIS SHOT AT BLACK WOMEN. Holder, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the rapper's death. The rapper was in the passenger seat and was shot multiple times, as was the driver. https://youtu.be/sH-tSUdfHrc R.I.P. Investigators had found a rifleleft in the Nissanalong with a handgun when they searched the car, the warrant said. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A week after the arrest of Hakeem Robinson, a Jacksonville rapper known as "Ksoo," in connection with the shooting death of a 23-year-old man in Arlington, a warrant for. The U.S. The group KTA, whose most popular member Julio Foolio has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram, also isnt shy about naming murder victims in music videos. On the other, the national attention is putting a bigger spotlight on local street beefs, which has only amplified tensions. The Florida rappers remixed Vanessa Carltons classic pop record A Thousand Miles, which has become a favorite for rappers worldwide. Hakeem Robinson better known as Jacksonville rapper Ksoo is charged with first-degree murder, while his brother Abdul Robinson Jr. is charged with second-degree murder. News4Jax previously reported incorrectly that Hakeem Robinson was charged in connection the Rothermel murder. they found a man shot in or near his SUV. According to reports, a 25-year-old Scott La Rock was shot in the neck and head as he attempted to break up an argument near. They included shots of Whoppa dancing his heart out at the beginning of the song and all four guys pointing up enthusiastically to Heaven in the hoo. This time outside of Paradise Gentlemen's Club on Baymeadows Road. The KTA music video lyrics also mention Corbin Johnson. The Sheriffs Office said that shooting was a targeted act of violence against the occupants of the Tahoe.. Leeke got shot (well damn! Its not a funny thing that somebody is dead. They got loved ones, theyve got kids, Benton said. Aces 2021 single Who I Smoke (A Thousand Miles Remix) was an internet hit and listed the names of several Jacksonville murder victims, including Bibby.