Rapper BTY YoungN was gunned down in the Hollygrove section of New Orleans last Saturday night.
The rising rapper, real name Desmone Jerome, was affiliated with Birdman’s Rich Gang collective. He was shot down at a local gas station.
The Advocate reports:
Jerome, 27, was shot multiple times and was found lying in the area of the gas station’s pumps, police said. He died at the scene. Police have not released any information about suspects or a potential motive.
Gabrielle Jerome described her son, who grew up in the nearby Pigeon Town neighborhood, as a generous and much-loved member of his community. He had a 6-week old son named Desmone Jerome Jr., she said.
“He would literally give you the shirt off his back,” she said. “He loved kids to death. It’s just rough.”
The slain rapper’s mother said he also was survived by seven brothers on his father’s side and an 18-year-old sister on her side.
BTY YoungN began rapping as a teenager, right around the time New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina. He was introduced to many with a guest appearance on the track “You Can’t Stop Me” from Juvenile‘s 2009 album Cocky & Confident. His career was derailed two years later when he was charged with attempted murder and sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in less than four years off good behavior.
Upon returning home he began to put out new music and reportedly moved 20,000 mixtapes in the New Orleans area, which caught the attention of Birdman who offered him a spot on his Rich Gang roster. Some may recognize him as one of the artists flaunting money in Birdman’s infamous golden toilet instagram video.
Reactions to BTY YoungN’s death included a wave of social media condolences. It also came with criticism of Birdman who noticeably erased all mentions and photos of YoungN from his Instagram page after the murder. Birdman did eventually break his silence and offer “RIP” condolences on his Facebook page Sunday night.
BTY YoungN’s last project, 2nd Feed Up, dropped in February.
Photo: Instagram
