This morning, social media has been chock full of remembrances of New Orleans rapper Young Greatness and condolences for his loved ones. The 34-year-old rapper, government name Theodore Jones was gunned down outside of a Waffle House in his hometown early this morning (October 29, 2018).
According to New Orleans police, shots were fired around 1:34 AM and when they arrived on the scene, Young Greatness laid motionless with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene. His vehicle was also stolen, according to ABC 4WWL.
Young Greatness was on the rise on the hip-hop scene, evidenced by the outpouring of love for him today. He is best known for his 2015 hit, “Moolah,” produced by Jazze Pha. The track was released under Atlanta powerhouse Quality Control Records (the label currently housing Migos, Lil Yachty and City Girls) and described by Rolling Stone as “a unique take on trap music, melding the melody-forward approach that’s defined New Orleans music for generations with the straightforward, slow trap drums that continue to define the center of modern hip-hop.” Though it took months for the song to catch on, “Moolah” landed on the Billboard Top 100 and earned Young Greatness a performance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Young Greatness relocated himself from New Orleans to Houston. After establishing himself in one of the South’s hotbeds for hip-hop, his career took off and he garnered accolades from local veterans such as Bun B and Mike Jones. As “Moolah” grew in popularity, Young Greatness signed a deal with the legendary-yet-controversial mogul Birdman and his Cash Money Records imprint. “The first time I heard him, I knew he was going to be big,” Birdman is on the record saying after signing Young Greatness. “He’s got a grasp of melody that few artists have. It’s the sound of the future.”
After his death, one of Young Greatness’ friends spoke to reporters on the scene. “You wouldn’t expect that coming happening with him,” he said. “Dude wasn’t into nothing but his music and his daughter … Wasn’t into nothing else, man.”
The NOPD is looking for two suspects in connection to the killing of Young Greatness.
2018 has been an especially tragic year in hip-hop. In June, 21-year-old rapper Lil Doss was shot and killed as he sat in a car in Richmond, CA. Later on in the month, rising star XXXtentacion was gunned down during a robbery in Florida and emerging Pittsburgh star Jimmy Wopo fell victim to gun violence in his hometown on the same day. In May, Maryland rapper A1 Lil Tony was murdered as he exited his vehicle in Waldorf. In the same month, Baton Rouge rapper Louis Badazz met a similar fate. In April, Mississippi’s Lil Lonnie and Billion Dollar BD of Columbus were killed. Back in March, legendary emcee Craig Mack passed due to heart failure and Delaware rapper Sam Vito was killed before a performance. In January, Chicago drill heavyweight Fredo Santana died due to a seizure in LA after struggling with kidney and liver problems (brought on by lean consumption). Most recently, the hip-hop world lost established Pittsburgh star Mac Miller who succumbed to cardiac arrests (suspected overdose). There were others who have passed or survived instances of violence in 2018, as well.
When it comes to the rappers who lost their lives to violence, there is a common trend. Most of them were killed in their hometown. Though it’s sad to say, it appears that it is in aspiring rappers’ best interests to move away based on the killings that have transpired.
#RIP to all.
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