Rapper Young Dolph was shot to death Wednesday at a cookie store in Memphis, Tennessee and authorities are searching for the perpetrator.
Rapper Young Dolph shot to death in Tennessee
Police tweeted that they had no information to release about the possible suspect in the shooting, which occurred at Makeda’s Cookies store near Memphis International Airport.
“The tragic shooting death of rapper Young Dolph is a reminder of the pain that organized crime brings,” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said in a statement.
The rapper had been in town since Monday visiting an aunt who had cancer and was also delivering turkeys for Thanksgiving, said Young Dolph’s cousin, Mareno Myers.
“He was inside (Makeda’s), and someone just came in and took his life,” Myers said.
Just last week the cookie store posted a video on Instagram of the rapper promoting them and saying he always went there when he was in Memphis.
Like Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was killed in 2019, Young Dolph had been admired by many for his independent approach to the music industry.
His label Paper Route Empire had control over his music.
“God bless Dolph. A true independent rapper from Memphis born in Chicago. Loved by millions,” tweeted Chance the Rapper.
The rapper, 36, was born in Chicago, his real name was Adolph Thornton Jr. He moved to Memphis when he was 2 years old, according to The Commercial Appeal.
He released numerous mixtapes, starting with 2008’s “Paper Route Campaign” and multiple studio albums including his 2016 debut “King of Memphis.” He also collaborated on other mixtapes and albums with fellow artists Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion T.I., Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and others.
Young Dolph had three albums that reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, including 2020’s “Rich Slave” which reached the fourth spot.
