28 years old Drakeo the Ruler has reportedly stabbed to death at the LA festival before he was performing. The rapper was booked to play the festival at Exposition Park alongside Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and 50 Cent.
According to reports, authorities couldn’t confirm the identity of the victim until a person with direct knowledge of the incident told the publication that it was Darrell Caldwell aka Drakeo the Ruler. TMZ reported about Drakeo’s death when multiple sources were claiming Drakeo had died after succumbing to his injuries. Words spread that he got into an altercation backstage.
Jeff Weiss the Journalist, who heavily chronicled the rapper’s career, also confirmed the news of his death. Right after the incident took place the festival was shut down. The organizers announced it with writing on social media, ‘The Once Upon A Time In LA Fest is ending early. All performances are now over. Please head to the closest exit and head eastbound on MLK.’
A video captured the aftermath of the stabbing went out that showed people running up on stage and security trying to break up a fight.
On the following day, the music festival was running behind schedule. Snoop Dogg was scheduled to perform at 8.30 pm but as a DJ on the main stage had been playing for approximately 45 minutes long. At about 9.20 pm when it was time for Snoop Dogg’s performance the backstage entrance appeared to be blocked to anyone but police officers.
After hearing this shocking and terrifying news tributes have started to pour in for the late rapper including Drake from other public figures.
Drake wrote to put on an Instagram Story writing, ‘Nah man this sh*t isn’t right for real wtf are we doing 😔😔😔 always picked my spirit up with your energy RIP Drakeo 🤞🏽’.
Jeff Weiss wrote, ‘RIP Drakeo, the greatest West Coast artist of a generation, a legend who invented a new rap language of slippery cadences, nervous rhythms, and psychedelic slang, who beat life twice only to suffer the most tragic fate conceivable. The Ruler, once, always, and forever.
‘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.’
Snoop Dogg expressed his shock over the incident on Instagram, writing, ‘I’m saddened by the events that took place last night at the Once Upon a Time in LA festival.’
‘My condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Drakeo the Ruler,” he said, adding “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.’
Icy Season wrote on Twitter, ‘Man Drakeo was always hella cool & respectful Prayers up for his family RIP The Ruler’.
Joey Fatts twitted that, ‘Drakeo was killed while working. Was there for a performance. All these get out the streets tweets/leave your city tweets. Shut the fuck up. No reason why a knife should be able to be snuck into a music festival. Especially since the Travis Scott shit. Rip Drakeo hopes his fam sue.’
Many more popular artists also shared their sorrow over this terrifying death news on Drakeo and showed condolence.
Earlier this year Drakeo was featured on Saweetie’s song ‘Risky’, taken from the singer’s ‘Pretty Summer Playlist: Season 1’ EP. Drakeo released his debut album ‘The Truth Hurts’ this year after releasing 10 mixtapes from 2015 till 2020.
In 2019 Drakeo was acquitted of felony murder and attempted murder charges in 2016 with the shooting death of a 24-year-old man, and was later retried on conspiracy charges. He then eventually struck a plea deal and was released from custody in 2020.
