Everything we know about Drakeo the Ruler's stabbing
by Ana Walia | Mon, 20 Dec 2021 14:57:31 GMT
Drakeo the Ruler passes away after suffering injuries from the stabbing. Image Source: Complex

Darrell Caldwell, or popularly known as Drakeo the Ruler, was an American rapper and songwriter who was known for his unique flow, oddly expressive, poetic word choices, which led to the Los Angeles Times calling him the "most original West Coast stylist in decades."

The 28-year-old Drakeo the Ruler passed away on Sunday morning from injuries that were the result of stabling at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. festival. Drakeo’s attorney, John Hamasaki, confirmed the news of the rapper’s passing away with 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. "

While finding his way to the top, Drakeo quickly developed an idiosyncratic but evocative palette of lyrics and called it "nervous music" for a good reason. In 2018, he told The Times, "I know how to code everything and I switch it up every time I get bored." People think I just make up words, but everything means something." Drakeo’s music and lyrics drip with paranoia and soon open up to a rich inner world.

After DJ Mustard, who remixed his song, "Mr. Get Dough," discovered him, and the song became his breakout song in 2015 (it has about 6.2 million YouTube views), Drakeo released his official debut mixtape, "I Am Mr. Mosely," as his first project under Mustard’s 10 Summers Label. He recorded several popular and critically acclaimed mixtapes, including "Cold Devil" in 2018 and "Thank You For Using GTL" in 2020.

Until last year, the rapper was on trial in connection with the killing of 24-year-old Davion Gregory in 2016 and faced a potential life sentence on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. According to reports, Davion was shot five times as he was about to enter a Carson Adult Pajama Party and was declared dead on arrival at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Simultaneously, members of his Stinc Team collective, including Drakeo’s brother Ralfy the Plug, were arrested in San Francisco on a variety of charges. In the first trial, which began in May 2019, the prosecution weaponized Drakeo’s lyrics and videos against him, showcasing to the jury endless loops of the rapper rapping while clutching semiautomatic rifles.

The prosecution weaponized Drakeo’s lyrics and videos against him in his trial. Image Source: HuckMaga

On July 25, 2019, the rapper was acquitted of a barrage of charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder, while being found guilty of one gun-possession charge stemming from an unrelated police stop. In September 2019, Jackie Lacey’s office opted to refile the two remaining counts that the original jury hung on shooting from a motor vehicle and 182.5 of the California penal code, a criminal gang conspiracy law that claims that a member of a gang can be guilty of another gang member’s crimes if they promote or stand to benefit from them.

Drakeo recorded his vocals for "Thank You for GTL" via telephone while inside the jail in L.A. Pitchfork said this about the album "likely the greatest rap album ever recorded from jail". NPR Music's Rodney Carmichael wrote that the album is "a stark reminder that suspended disbelief is a privilege off limits to artists in a genre where even black creativity is criminalized."

The rapper was finally released in November 2020 after the district attorney’s office offered him a plea agreement following three years in jail. Drakeo told NPR in 2020 about his belief that the district attorney possesses a personal vendetta against him. He said, "They just didn't like the person I am and decided to make an example of me for everyone else. I was kind of like a warning". The rapper told The Times in 2018, "I live a nervous life. I've got to look around and watch my back from the police and all these other people out there. People want to kill me. I can’t be driving around in $100,000 cars on the run, listening to soft-ass music".

Drakeo’s latest studio album, "The Truth Hurts," was released in February and included cameos from Drake and Don Toliver, and his recent mixtape, "So Cold I Do Em 2," was released on December 7th, 2021.

On Sunday, December 18th, 2021, the L.A. Fire Department responded to a call at 8:40 p.m. about an altercation at the music festival that was held at Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park. According to the reports, the Los Angeles police are investigating, but there have been no arrests as of now. The festival’s promoter, Live Nation, confirmed that there was an altercation backstage and, in a statement, said, "Out of respect for those involved and in co-ordination with local authorities, artists and organizers decided not to move forward with the remaining sets, so the festival was ended an hour early."

Drakeo the Ruler was released in November after the district attorney’s office offered him a plea agreement following three years in jail. Image Source: Pitchfork

Snoop Dogg, who was also scheduled to perform at the event, took to Twitter to express his grief and sadness over the rapper’s passing away. He wrote, "saddened by the events that took place last night at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. festival... Last night, I was in my dressing room when I was informed about the incident and chose to immediately leave the festival grounds. My prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragedy. Please take care of one another and stay safe, you all. I’m praying for peace in hip-hop. "

Drake, who collaborated with the rapper, also expressed his sadness via Instagram stories as he wrote, "Nah man, this sh*t isn’t right for real. What are we doing?" I always pick my spirit up with your energy. RIP Drakeo. " Saweetie wrote, "Man, Drakeo was always hella cool and respectful. Prayers for his family. RIP The Ruler. "

On August 22nd, 2021, Drakeo was arrested for possession of a firearm while being an ex-con. The arrest was live-streamed on Drakeo’s Instagram when he was with his son. In the video, cops can be heard requesting Drakeo to step out of the vehicle, saying, "We are going to ask you one more time to step out, and if you say no, then we got to do what we got to do." While the details of the arrest remain unknown, writer Jeff Weiss mentioned, "If you don't think the LA Sheriff's and the LAPD have been watching Drakeo's every move and IG story since he came home—and listening to every song—I have a tunnel on 2nd Street to sell you."

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