Drakeo The Ruler Case: Talent Organizer Says Rapper "Walked Into The Lion's Pit"

BY Erika Marie 20.1K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Timothy Norris / Contributor / Getty Images
Drakeo The Ruler
A talent organizer claims there was a lack of security and people were being turned away because the backstage area was "too packed to get in."

There hasn't been much shared about the status of Drakeo The Ruler's murder case. The beloved Los Angeles rapper was reportedly stabbed in the neck while attending the Once Upon a Time in L.A. concert over the weekend and since that time, there has been an outpouring of grief over the tragic loss. The Los Angeles Times penned a lengthy article about the status of the investigation that included speaking with a talent organizer for Once Upon a Time in L.A. who wanted to remain anonymous.

According to the source, Drakeo was scheduled to perform on the G-Unit stage at 8:30 p.m. but the concert was running behind. The talent organizer told the L.A. Times that he saw "many attendees in the VIP area wearing red clothing as a potential sign of their Blood affiliation."


They also alleged that there was a lack of security backstage, adding, “I probably saw at most two armed individuals, and they were at the VIP entrance telling people to turn away because it was too packed to get in." However, music manager Robert “Smoov” Bryant, contested that there was ample security on the grounds.

“Some had USC gear, you had event security, artist security and you had officers from the LAPD stationed in that area,” Bryant said. “I felt very secure.”

Video of the assault shows a swarm of people involved in the melee, with many passersby watching from the perimeter. Once Drakeo falls to the ground, a half-dozen young men continue to attack him.

One eyewitness to the fight said that the security response was surprisingly slow. The eyewitness said he saw “no security remotely near there.” Security would have “had plenty of time to break up the fight, but there was maybe one guard trying to help,” said the person, who asked not to be identified so he could speak freely about what he saw.

Officer Luis Garcia, an LAPD spokesman, stated that investigators are trying to piece together what exactly occurred, but the talent organizer offered his opinion.

Drakeo walked into the lions’ pit," he said. No arrests have been made and no suspects have been named. We continue to offer our sincerest condolences to Drakeo's loved ones. Read our interview with him, one of Drakeo The Ruler's last, here: Drakeo The Ruler Always Counted His Blessings: Our Final Interview With The West Coast Staple.

[via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 2
Page was generated in 0.50635981559753