Rapper Drakeo The Ruler died of injuries in Los Angeles

Drakeo The Ruler has reportedly died after
being stabbed during the “Once Upon A Time” festival concert in LA Festival on
Saturday. The 28-year-old rapper was performing at Exposition Park alongside
Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and 50 Cent. The festival was shut down due to the
incident, with organisers 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.”

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The Los Angeles Times reported that
authorities did not confirm the identity of the victim but that a person with
direct knowledge of the incident told the publication that it was Drakeo the
Ruler (real name Darrell Caldwell).

On Sunday, TMZ reported that Drakeo had
died after succumbing to his injuries. It’s believed that he got engaged in a
backstage altercation.  Journalist Jeff
Weiss, who followed the rapper’s life, also confirmed the news.

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A video captured the aftermath of the
stabbing and showed people running up on stage and security trying to break up
a fight.

The music festival was running behind
schedule. Snoop Dogg was scheduled to perform at 8.30 pm but a DJ on the main
stage had been playing for approximately 45 minutes. At about 9.20 pm the
backstage entrance appeared to be blocked to anyone but police officers.

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Tributes poured in for the rapper

Tributes poured in for the late rapper
including from Drake. He wrote on his Instagram Stories, “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.

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“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.”

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Drakeo has released his debut album ‘The
Truth Hurts’ this year after releasing 10 mixtapes between 2015 and 2021.

In 2019 he was acquitted of felony murder
and attempted murder charges in relation to a 2016 shooting death of a
24-year-old man, and was later retried on conspiracy charges. The rapper
eventually struck a plea deal and was released from custody in November 2020.

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Earlier this year he featured on Saweetie’s
song ‘Risky’, taken from the singer’s ‘Pretty Summer Playlist: Season 1’ EP.