Drakeo the Ruler dies after stabbing at LA music festivalon December 19, 2021 at 6:01 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The 28-year-old was stabbed during an altercation backstage at a Los Angeles music festival.

Rapper Drakeo the Ruler performs onstage during Rolling Loud at NOS Events Center on December 12, 2021 in San Bernardino, California. (

Image source, Getty Images

US rapper Drakeo the Ruler has died after being stabbed at a music festival in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, had been scheduled to perform at the Once Upon a Time in LA festival on Saturday night.

His publicist confirmed his death to several US media outlets on Sunday morning.

The artist was reportedly stabbed during an altercation backstage around the time he had been due to perform.

Los Angeles police are investigating, but told reporters no arrests had been made as of Sunday morning.

Drakeo the Ruler had more than 1.5m monthly listeners on Spotify, and collaborated with Canadian rapper Drake on the single Talk to Me.

Paramedics responded to a call about a stabbing at about 20:40 local time on Saturday (04:40 GMT on Sunday). Reports say the rapper was then taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.

The BBC has contacted his representatives for comment.

The festival’s promoter, Live Nation, confirmed that there was an “altercation in the roadway backstage” at the event, which was also scheduled to include performances from rappers 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.

“Out of respect for those involved and in co-ordination with local authorities, artists and organisers decided not to move forward with remaining sets so the festival was ended an hour early,” it said.

Following reports of Drakeo’s death, tributes were paid on social media.

“Always picked my spirit up with your energy. RIP Drakeo,” Drake wrote on his Instagram stories early on Sunday.

In a post on Twitter, LA writer Jeff Weiss called him the “greatest west coast artist of a generation, a legend who invented a new rap language of slippery cadences, nervous rhythms, and psychedelic slang”.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Everton 1-4 Newcastle: Sean Dyche bemoans ‘soft’ Toffees after Newcastle defeaton April 27, 2023 at 9:52 pm

Everton boss Sean Dyche says his side were "soft" in the basic principles of defending during the 4-1 defeat against Newcastle at Goodison Park.Everton...

Nottingham Open: Harriet Dart beats Camila Giorgi to reach first WTA quarter-finalon June 9, 2022 at 6:42 pm

Britain's Harriet Dart saves three match points to stun third seed Camila Giorgi and reach her first WTA quarter-final at the Nottingham Open.

The Papers: Putin ‘warns of bloodshed’ and pay for Covid testson February 22, 2022 at 2:55 am

The front pages cover Russia moving troops into Ukraine and the UK scrapping free virus testing.

Diversity is Commonwealth’s strength, Prince Charles to sayon June 24, 2022 at 3:22 am

The Prince of Wales will hail the differences within the Commonwealth at a summit in Rwanda.Image source, PA MediaThe Prince of Wales is expected...

UCI Track Nations Cup: Great Britain claim double silver in team pursuit in Glasgowon April 21, 2022 at 10:45 pm

Great Britain claim silver in the women's and men's team pursuit as the UCI Track Nations Cup 2022 begins in Glasgow.