LOS ANGELES — Rapper Drakeo the Ruler was fatally stabbed at a concert in Los Angeles on Saturday night, the rapper’s publicist said.
Update 2:51 p.m. EST Dec. 19: Scott Jawson, a publicist for the rapper, confirmed his death on Sunday to The New York Times and Rolling Stone.
The rapper’s real name was Darrell Caldwell. His attorney, John Hamasaki, said in a statement, “We spent the hardest two years together fighting for his freedom, facing life, before walking out a free man just over a year ago. Through it, we became friends and then like family. I don’t even know how to start processing this.”
We spent the hardest two years together fighting for his freedom, facing life, before walking out a free man just over a year ago. Through it, we became friends and then like family. I don’t even know how to start processing this. Thanks for the kind messages 💔 https://t.co/A2KoyxqDdZ
— John Hamasaki (@HamasakiLaw) December 19, 2021
Update 1:11 p.m. EST Dec. 19: A press representative for Drakeo the Rapper confirmed the artist’s death to The Guardian but did not give further details.
I'm devastated. Going to log off for a while and try to process this. My love to his friends, family, and anyone who understand the struggle that he endured and loved his music. He was special, a legit genius and a kind, caring friend. There are no words to convey the grief.
— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) December 19, 2021
Update 11:51 a.m. EST Dec. 19: The Los Angeles Times, quoting an anonymous person “with direct knowledge of the incident,” said hip-hop artist Drakeo the Ruler, whose real name is Darrell Caldwell, was fatally stabbed at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. concert at the Banc of California Stadium on Saturday night. He was 28.
TMZ also reported the rapper’s death.
Original report: The Los Angeles Times, quoting an anonymous person “with direct knowledge of the incident,” said the victim was hip-hop artist Drakeo the Ruler, who was scheduled to perform at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. concert at Banc of California Stadium.
The Los Angeles Police Department could not confirm the identity of the victim, the newspaper reported. The victim was stabbed in the neck, according to KTLA-TV.
Paramedics responded to a call about a stabbing around 8:40 p.m. PST, Margaret Stewart, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, told the newspaper. One person was taken to a hospital in critical condition, she said.
The 28-year-old rapper was scheduled to appear at the music festival, which included a lineup of popular rappers including Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and 50 Cent, the Times reported.
The show ended after the stabbing, the festival announced shortly after 10 p.m. PST.
In a statement, promoter Live Nation said: “There was an altercation in the roadway backstage. Out of respect for those involved and in coordination with local authorities, artists and organizers decided not to move forward with remaining sets so the festival was ended an hour early,” the Times reported.
Drakeo, whose real name is Darrell Caldwell, released his debut album “The Truth Hurts” this year after releasing 10 mixtapes between 2015 and 2021, according to New Musical Express.
In 2019 he was acquitted of felony murder and attempted murder charges in relation to a 2016 shooting death of a 24-year-old man, the website reported. He was later retried on conspiracy charges. The rapper eventually struck a plea deal and was released from custody in November 2020, according to New Musical Express.
Media update: There has been an incident at the Once Upon A Time in LA festival at the Banc of California. The festival has concluded early. LAPD will be in the area assisting CHP w/ the investigation. Media staging is on the South Lawn at Bill Robertson south of Exposition.
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) December 19, 2021
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