One viral song at a time, the balance of Florida rap is shifting. Jacksonville has never been thought of as a major music city in the eyes of the rest of America. JACKSONVILLE, Fla WARNING:The following article contains videos and links that contain music and subject matter that may be offensive to some. Jacksonville rapper Spinabenz faces trial delay on firearms charges Share Watch on The rapper will likely spend the extra weeks behind bars since his bond was revoked for allegedly removing his ankle monitor. In October 2021, News4Jax reported that Robinson was among several Jacksonville rappers whose lyrics referenced real murders. And its worth noting that not all of the rappers, including Yungeen Ace and Julio Foolio, are even suspected of crimes. The best thing for us to do at that point is to put that information on those videos with some physical evidence, with some things that we know will help put that together and make a much stronger case, Waters said. Robinson was indicted for first-degree murder on March 24, reports First Coast News. Police and prosecutors allege the patriarch of the family is the leader of a violent drug gang known as ATK or Aces Top Killers. The song was created by Florida Rappers Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace, & FastMoney Goon. News4Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said social media accounts and rap videos are often monitored by investigators because they will give coded clues about feuds between rival gangs. He's also a rapper who goes by the moniker "Spazzsobrokee." Prince Holland's. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX. Artists like Foolio point out how fans involve themselves in conflicts and magnify violent situations. Police also charged 23-year-old Janera Jaranee Smith with accessory after the fact, jail records show. He allegedly killed Adrian "Bibby" Gainer in February 2019 and Charles "Lil Buck" McCormick in January 2020. Its not clear at this point if Tarvers arrest is linked to these specific cases. Local Weather: Passing front Saturday brings a shot of rainfall. He allegedly shot Gainer at an apartment complex, police said. And to be fair, there havent been many successful rappers to emerge from the city over the years, minus a few exceptions. His mother, Shawnentina Benton, said she doesnt know who the rappers are or why they would be talking about her sons death. The case against Robinson got a break when investigators used a confidential informant inside the pre-trial detention facility to record conversation with Barner. That shit crazy. Yungeen Ace, whose legal name is Kenyatta Bullard, is affiliated with ATK and is one of the biggest Jacksonville rappers on the scene right now. Family members of ATK rapper Ksoo, whose name really is Hakeem Robinson, were injured in the shooting, including his father, Adbul Robinson, who was shot in the back. They included shots of Whoppa dancing his heart out at the beginning of the song and all four guys pointing up enthusiastically to Heaven in the hoo. The gun appeared to jam and the rapper wasnt able to land the kill shot. When officers reportedly arrived at the scene, they found (victim) Holmes shot in or near his vehicle. Then on Jan. 15, 2020, 23-year-old rapper Charles McCormick, whos known as Lil Buck, was shot and killed in Arlington during a daytime ambush in a shopping plaza. Addison (also known as Boss Goon) was murdered in January 2019 after a show at Paradise Gentlemens Club. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. Who I Smoke by Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace and others, which features a sample from Vanessa Carltons A Thousand Miles, has been viewed more than 33 million times since it was first published in March. Yuriy Andriyashchuk. The burgeoning Rap scene continues to make way for new artists, including newcomer 21-year-old Joshua Holmes. For assistance with WJXTs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801. Bullard was the only survivor of an ambush shooting on Town Center Parkway in 2018 that left three others dead, including his brother. The entire music video, directed by TeoShotThis, takes place on a golf course as Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace, and FastMoney Goon look seriously out of place in preppy clothing, smoking cigars and hurling threats at their opps. Awitness saw Hakeem Robinson and another man identified later as Whitaker get out with semi-automatic rifles and begin shooting, the warrant said. Example video title will go here for this video. A witness said he saw Gainer fall to the ground as he was shot, trying to protect himself, the warrant said. Yungeen Ace escaped death again in March 2019 after another attempt on his life in Waycross, Ga. A 30-year-old man was killed in that shooting and three men were arrested. If you're not a fan of hip hop music, you're probably unaware of the level of talented musicians coming out of Jacksonville right now. Deeply loved. The rapper, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr, was buying cookies at Makeda's Butter Cookies at about 1pm Wednesday when a gunman drove up and shot through the window. But Who I Smoke is probably the best, and by far the most disrespectful. The group was out celebrating a friends birthday. The one thing constant in both is the "K" stands for "kill.". The origins of rap music is rooted in battles - two guys and two mics going at it - sparring with one another using lyrics and rhymes to outdo their rival. The music videos give details about horrific crimes, and the heartbroken mothers who are still waiting for arrests, or trials, for their sons murders say the lyrics have gone too far. This arrest came after several months of Ksoo posting several videos of himself bragging about the killings of KTA members and taunting Julio Foolio about "smoking Bibby.". The Sheriffs Office said that shooting was a targeted act of violence against the occupants of the Tahoe.. Rothermel was hit by a stray bullet during a shootout between cars. A 56-year-old woman is in critical. In a way, the music video lyrics are merely descriptions of crimes, not confessions. Foolio added that these dead opps are also from Jacksonville, but he stopped listing names, after naming 30 of them. The bloodshed continued in January 2019 with another mass shooting. So we here. Unfortunately Joshua, who went by the Rap moniker 320Popout, passed away after being shot and killed in his hometown of Jacksonville at an apartment complex. Its not a funny thing that somebody is dead. If you havent noticed, something big is happening in Jacksonville right now. He has been in a Duval County jail since September 2020, after police arrested Robinson in the shooting of McCormick. Take a look at this list of rappers from Florida and vote for your favorite Florida rappers representing Orlando, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and more. Even for those who have found success, though, it has always felt like there was a glass ceiling on rappers trying to emerge from Jacksonville. Gucci Mane is largely responsible for one of rap's worst trends: gleefully mocking people who have died. According to News4Jax records, 131 murders were reported in 2019. News4Jax previously reported incorrectly that Hakeem Robinson was charged in connection the Rothermel murder. In 2019, there were 131 murders in the city, and in 2020 that number shot up to 176. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the sound of Jacksonville hip-hop started to shift away from glossy party music. What we're seeing in Jacksonville with this disturbing ATK, KTA beef is the flipping of Tupac's twisted narrative of literally smoking your homies. Ive heard anything from where he was shot, Ive heard what his last words were, Elizabeth Gainer said. Bullard served seven months in jail after pleading no contest in Novemberr 2016. Credit: Screenshot YouTube video "When I See You". A week after the arrest of Hakeem Robinson, a Jacksonville rapper known as Ksoo, in connection with the shooting death of a 23-year-old man in Arlington, a warrant for his arrest suggests a feud over a rap song may have led to the murder. On the other, the national attention is putting a bigger spotlight on local street beefs, which has only amplified tensions. While they wait for justice, the music videos coming mostly from two rival rap groups in Jacksonville have gained popularity across the country with songs glorifying their sons murders. These tensions have spilled over into the music, and Jacksonvilles drill scene is full of rappers referencing loved ones who have lost their life to gun violence. Ever since he was discovered by . In a recent interview, Jones was asked if he and Bullard could ever move past their feud. Specializes in Clay County issues, general assignment reporting and stories off the beaten path and anchors weekend evening newscasts. He said Ksoos issues with McCormick started after the decedent talked [disparagingly] about [rapper] Willie Addison. Watch a news report about the tragedy as well as a music video from 320Popout below. On one hand, a lot of these young artists are now in better situations to feed their families. This isnt an exhaustive listtheres a lot of exciting talent coming out of the city right nowbut these are some of the up-and-coming rappers who you should be paying attention to right now. A fingerprint on the handgun was found to be Hakeem Robinson's, while a hair found on a T-shirt nearby was also identified as his after a lab test. Although some rappers have done interviews with national hip-hop journalists, none of them agreed to interview with News4Jax. And whenever anyone outside the state talks about Florida rap, they almost always bring up Southern regions like Miami and Broward County. Skybourne904 2 yr. ago. Following the mass shooting, Julio Foolio made several posts on social media glorifying the killings. Its not clear what injuries the victim suffered but MTO News can confirm that he survived the shooting. Someone fired from another vehicle that pulled alongside their Chevrolet Tahoe, according to the Sheriffs Office. In 2019, there were 131 murders in the city,. However, while he was still in jail, Robinson was charged with the murder of Gainer. This stunning home is on a dead end stree. Four shot, three dead in the worst way. crashed in a nearby neighborhood before escaping the police, Arlisa Tarver, a JSO employee, was arrested. Waters said ATK may be linked to more than a dozen Jacksonville murders and other crimes committed in response to perceived insults. The warrant shows investigators also looked at the Instagram page for Robinson, @ksoo23x, after the shooting to make their case. For a long time, I hesitated to write an article like this, because I was always taught to stay out of other peoples business, and I would never want to write anything that would instigate problems between anybody. C urtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent is known as an American rapper, producer, actor, and entrepeneur who has met wils success throughout his career. Officials said that Balzado, who was wearing a seatbelt, began to drift after approaching a curve while travelling south on State Highway 42. 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Robinsons father, Abdul Robinson Sr., is charged with accessory to murder after the fact and his brother Abdul Robinson Jr., is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Melissa Jackson, Shawnentina Benton and Elizabeth Gainer have all lost sons to gun violence in Jacksonville. McCormick was gunned downabout 11 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2020,witnessed by an off-duty officerwho said the gunman stood over the victim and shot him with a rifle before getting into a Nissan Altima, the warrant said. The way the video is edited is funny yet utterly disrespectful. While Fantasia's "When I See U" is her singing about her nervous feelings when she sees the guy she's swooning over, Julio Foolio's "When I See You" is him rapping about someone he hates, Yungeen Ace, and what he'd like to do to him when he sees him. To fully understand whats happening right now, you need to go back to the beginning. That was followed by another hit on KTA a month later in February 2019 with the death of Julio Foolio's little brother, 16-year-old Adrian Dennard Gainer Jr., aka Bibby, at a Moncrief area apartment complex. Robinson allegedly killed the two men in separate gang-related shootings, police said. The group KTA, whose most popular member Julio Foolio has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram, also isnt shy about naming murder victims in music videos. Nipsey had been well-known on the underground circuit, and he was gaining a mainstream following just before his death. The music videos that feature lyrics about murders of young men in Jacksonville have propelled the rappers to national fame, but behind the videos are families that are forced to relive the pain. One of the six defendants in McCormicks murder, Dominique Barner, also agreed to cooperate with investigators. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The music and beats heard in the music videos are catchy, and millions of people have heard the songs on YouTube and other streaming services. Robinson allegedly killed the two men in separate gang-related shootings, police said. Many of the citys rappers make songs about street life in Duval County, and they all do it fromdifferent perspectives. As a precautionary measure, hes been moved out of the Duval County Jail. Robinson also made local headlines in September 2019 when he released an album cover featuring Jacksonville murder victims, reports News4Jax. Two of the men ran intoa house where the homeowner tried to flee. Hakeem Robinson, aka Ksoo, celebrated these latest killings by putting the fallen KTA victims on the cover of his album entitled "Bibby Out" named for Julio Foolio's little brother. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A week after the arrest of Hakeem Robinson, a Jacksonville rapper known as "Ksoo," in connection with the shooting death of a 23-year-old man in Arlington, a warrant for. A 30-year-old man was killed in that shooting and three men were arrested. Would you want your mom to feel the way other moms feel? Melissa Jackson said. Rapper SpotemGottem was hurt in a drive-by shooting at about 3am Friday morning, according to police reports. Shot and killed outside an studio after altercation with rapper No Plug Phife Dawg 3/22/2016 45 Oakley, California, U.S. All he did was laugh and dance," Gainer's mother, Elizabeth Gainer, told News4Jax. Court records show Robinson Sr. has agreed to testify as a witness for the state in the McCormick case. Jacksonville rappers are making music videos about real murders. On Thursday, JSO issued an emailed statement to News4Jax about the violence. So keep talking, Jackson said. Thomas and Bullard were both implicated in that robbery where the two conspired to rob someone who was reportedly selling marijuana, according to a June 2018 article in The Florida Times-Union. Facebook Twitter Email Pinterest Tumblr Reddit LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Messenger Share Posted in News 50 Comments More:Jacksonville police say suspected gang members arrested with loaded and stolen guns, More:4 arrested in Monday triple homicide at Jacksonville complex; 1 suspect only 14. Barner said the reason for wanting McCormick dead was that he had made a song that "talked despairingly" about Hakeem Robinson's dead brother, Willie Addison Jr. More:Jacksonville mother seeks publics help finding suspects on first anniversary of sons shooting death, More:Gang initiation led to Oct. 3 Jacksonville homicide and arrest a month later. Who I smoke, Lil Nine, Yungeen Ace says during the songs chorus. Meanwhile, Ksoo has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In my heart, I feel like its someone that he knew because Corbin wouldnt just leave with anyone, Jackson said. We do have a group in the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office that spends all their time dealing with this issue. Not every Jacksonville artist makes drill music, nor do they all have public beef, but thats whats getting most of the attention from new fans tuning into the citys rap scene right now. The arrest warrant said Gainer and another man werein a gazebo at the complex at 1646 W. 45th St. at about 3 p.m. Surveillance video spotted a gray or silver Nissan Altima drive into the complex. While this deadly beef apparently started a few years ago, Yungeen Ace's and Julio Foolio's new viral music videos may suggest it's just getting started. Status of Case: Unsolved Scott La Rock was fatally gunned down in 1987. Rapper Ksoo, real name Hakeem Robinson and a member of the ATK gang, subsequently put the fallen KTA victims on the cover of his album, Bibby Out. Police are investigating Jackson Mahomes, the 22-year-old brother of Patrick Mahomes, for an incident that occured at a Kansas City area bar. Two weeks later, Damon Rothermel was shot and killed while riding his bicycle on Emerson Street. A year later, his remains were found in a wooded area. In a twisted show of love, respect and honor, several people who were close to the rapper reportedly smoked some of his cremated remains. For now, since the lyrics about the murders arent a chargeable offense, the mothers hope people will speak up and give police information about the crimes if they know something so they can finally have justice for their sons. Community leaders and family members held a vigil for Gainer in that same gazebo days later. Went out to eat on his birthday. Nobody can do anything worse to me than killing my child.. 2:23. A second-degree murder count was later added. Bullard survived despite being shot eight times and has gone on to find increasing fame with over 2 million followers on Instagram and has released songs with Robinson. Investigators found 45 shell casings at thecrime scene. Robinson Sr. is. The intruders dressed in clothing found in her husband's closet, then someone drove up and fled with the pair. He was 18. He is charged only in the McCormick murder. Dozens of YouTube channels are chronicling the origins of this beef, most notably are QuietRoom, hosted by Queenzflip who documents and facilitates rap battles, TrapLife Documentaries, which documents criminal activities in the rap scene, and Insider Hotspot, which covers "lifestyles, struggles and secrets" of rappers, according to its YouTube channel. Bibby is Adrian Gainer, a 16-year-old friend of rapper Julio Foolio who was shot and killed in the Hilltop Village Apartments in 2019. He was in the car with family members who were also injured. ), Julio Foolio whose legal name is Charles Jones, according to his Spotify profile says in Beatbox Remix/Bibby Flow.. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said ATK and KTA, the two rap groups behind the majority of the controversial music videos, arent just rivals in music, they are enemies in the streets.