Drakeo the Ruler tragically was killed in LA Saturday night at Once Upon a Time Festival.
The budding star was stabbed in the neck backstage after an altercation broke out.
Drakeo’s attorney John Hamasaki said in 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.”
Drakeo was discovered by DJ Mustard and rest was history. The influential and outta-the-box rapper was a breath of fresh air and a paramount force in the West Coast evolving sound.
He released his most recent studio album, “The Truth Hurts,” in February, with cameos from Drake and Don Toliver. Then he continued this onslaught on the music industry with his most recent mixtape, “So Cold I Do Em 2,” which just came out on Dec. 7.
All this, after beating a potential life sentence in prison. After he was acquitted of felony murder and attempted murder charges, county prosecutors attempted to retry Drakeo on conspiracy charges related to the slaying. Caldwell ultimately accepted a plea deal and was released in November 2020.
Drake the Ruler was only 28. He is survived by his son and brother, the L.A. rapper Ralfy the Plug.