Top 5 Biggest Rappers Deaths in 2020

2020 has been a crazy year for many reasons. While folks like Breanna Taylor and George Floyd were trying to avoid dying at hands of police and NBA player hooped in a bubble to avoid dying from the rona, we lost a number of hip-hop artists to gun violence like Pop Smoke. You'd think after losing XXXTentacion in 2018, and Nipsey Hussle and Juice Wrld in 2019, we'd be spared some mercy. But 2020 has been knocking folk out left and right. Here are the top 5 biggest rappers we lost in 2020:

#5.     King Von

Chicago rapper King Von was killed in a shooting in November that left him and two others dead early outside of an Atlanta hookah lounge.

 

#4.     Mo3

Just last month, Mo3 was shot and killed by an unknown gunman in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. He was 28. The late rapper, born Melvin Noble, was driving northbound on I-35 near Clarendon Drive in Dallas when he was approached by an armed suspect who had gotten out of his car with the gun. Mo3 got out of his vehicle and began running southward on the highway. 

The gunman chased and shot at the rapper multiple times, with one bullet striking him in the head. Mo3 was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Some have speculated that a female associate of his may have set-up the deadly interaction.

#3.      5th Ward Weebie

New Orleans rapper, producer, and actor, 5th Ward Weebie,  died in January of 2020 from complications after a heart attack at the age of 42. He was a prominent part of the first wave of bounce musicians in New Orleans in the 1990s and went on to have a flourishing career for decades. In 2006, the rapper gained national attention for the track 'F--- Katrina.' 

#2.      Huey

In June, St. Louis rapper Huey, famous for the 2006 hit "Pop, Lock & Drop It," was killed after a gunman opened fire on a crowd. 

     

Police said around 11pm,  a 32-year-old male, later identified as Lawrence Franks Jr. — Huey's real name — had arrived at a local hospital suffering from at least one apparent gunshot wound. He died shortly after arrival.  

#1.      Pop Smoke

One of the most devastating deaths in 2020 was the passing of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke. The charismatic rhymer, who's credited for elevating the Brooklyn drill rap scene, was shot and killed in Los Angeles on Feb. 19, 2020. His death stunned the entire hip hop community.

In July, four people were arrested and charged in connection with the Pop's death.

Corey Walker, 19, and Keandre Rodgers, 18, were each charged with what authorities said was murder with the special circumstance allegation that the killing occurred during the commission of a robbery and a burglary, making them eligible for the death penalty. According to the complaint, the defendants may have gang ties. The other two defendants, ages 17 and 15, were each charged with one count of murder and robbery in juvenile court.