Drakeo the Ruler
Drakeo the Ruler in September 2021
Born
Darrell Wayne Caldwell[1]

(1993-12-01)December 1, 1993
Los Angeles, California, U.S.[2]
DiedDecember 18, 2021(2021-12-18) (aged 28)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of deathMurder (stabbing)
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2014–2021
Children1[3]
Musical career
Genres
Labels

Darrell Wayne Caldwell[1] (December 1, 1993 – December 18, 2021), known professionally as Drakeo the Ruler, was an American rapper. He was known for his flow, as well as his "oddly expressive, poetic word-choices",[5] leading the Los Angeles Times to call him "the most original West Coast stylist in decades".[4] His fourth mixtape, Cold Devil, has been streamed over 10 million times.[6]

Early life

Caldwell was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, California,[7] by a single mother. He attended Washington High School in nearby Westmont.[4]

Career

After recording a handful of mixtapes with much more of a trap influence than the West Coast hip hop he became known for, he was discovered by DJ Mustard, who remixed his song "Mr. Get Dough". The song, which premiered on WorldStarHipHop in April 2015, became his breakout song,[4] and has amassed over 6.2 million YouTube views as of August 2019. Six months later, in October, Drakeo released his official debut mixtape, I Am Mr. Mosely, as his first project under DJ Mustard's 10 Summers label.[8]

He released his second project, I Am Mr. Mosely 2, on July 21, 2016, with features including Mozzy, Skeme, and Philthy Rich.[9] He followed this up with the release of So Cold I Do Em in December.[10]

After his jail release in November 2017, he recorded a 16-track mixtape, Cold Devil, in 10 days, and released it the following month.[5][11] Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork described it as "the most compelling album of the Los Angeles emcee's career", adding that his "avant deadpan and impressionistic relationship to the beat" is "icy and unforgettable".[12] Similarly, Grant Rindner of Complex called it "one of the most impressive California rap projects in years".[13] He released music videos for "Flu Flamming",[14] "Big Banc Uchies",[15] and "Out the Slums" within a month.[16] "Flu Flamming" was also notably remixed by Lil Yachty, and "Big Banc Uchies" by Shy Glizzy.[17] The music video for "Roll Bounce" was released in September, with Drakeo in jail awaiting trial.[18]

The project, Thank You for Using GTL, was recorded from phone calls from jail,[19] and released in June 2020.[20] His ninth mixtape, The Truth Hurts, was released on February 24, 2021. The mixtape contains notable guest appearances from Don Toliver on the song "Dawn Tolliver", and Drake on the song "Talk to Me".[21]

In January 2017, Caldwell was arrested by the LAPD when they raided a condo where he regularly shot music videos. He was subsequently held at Men's Central Jail after being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.[22] He was released in November.[5]

In March 2018, he was arrested again, this time charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The charges stemmed from a December 2016 shooting in Carson, California, where one person was killed and two were injured.[23] He was facing life in prison.[24] Simultaneously, members of his Stinc Team collective, including his brother Ralfy the Plug, were arrested in San Francisco on a variety of charges.[25]

On July 25, 2019, he was acquitted of his murder and attempted murder charges in a Compton courthouse.[26] However, the district attorney decided to refile charges of criminal gang conspiracy and shooting from a motor vehicle in August, two counts that resulted in a hung jury during his initial trial.[27] His trial date was set for August 3, 2020. While incarcerated, he recorded Thank You for Using GTL, which Pitchfork called "likely the greatest rap album ever recorded from jail".[20] He was released from jail in November 2020 following three years of incarceration after he accepted a deal from the District Attorney's office in which he pled guilty to shooting from a vehicle.[28]

Death

Caldwell was stabbed backstage at around 8:30 p.m. on December 18, 2021, during the Once Upon a Time in LA festival. Initial eyewitness accounts reported that he was stabbed in the neck during an altercation; later, his mother Darrylene Corniel revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that Caldwell, his brother, and their entourage were attacked by "around 40, 60 men" in masks around the time of YG's arrival to the venue, and that Caldwell had been stabbed in the neck.[29][30] Paramedics arrived at the scene at around 8:40 p.m. and transported Caldwell to a nearby hospital in critical condition.[31][32] Snoop Dogg, who was co-headlining along with 50 Cent, YG, and Ice Cube, cancelled their performance once they were made aware of the situation. The event itself was cancelled shortly afterward.[33]

Caldwell was pronounced dead as a result of his stab wounds on December 19, 2021.[29][34] As of December 21, 2021, the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating his death as a homicide.[35] He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.[36]

Aftermath and reactions

Following the news of his death, Corniel stated she would be suing Live Nation in regards to Caldwell's murder, citing negligence from the venue and lax security measures from the staff.[29] In January 2023, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied a motion by Live Nation to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing it to move forward.[37][38]

Snoop Dogg posted a lengthy message to his Instagram expressing his condolences to Caldwell's family, and that he had been in his dressing room preparing to perform when he was informed of the incident. He closed the statement with "I'm praying for peace in hip hop."[39] Wiz Khalifa also called for peace in the music industry following the violent deaths of Caldwell and rapper Young Dolph.[40]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
The Truth Hurts[41]
  • Released: February 24, 2021[21]
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Keep the Truth Alive[42]
  • Released: September 30, 2022
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

EPs

Title EP details
Out of Character[43]
(with Pettypetty)
  • Released: February 15, 2021
  • Label: Get Money Genre, Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

Title Mixtape details
I Am Mr. Mosely[44]
  • Released: October 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
I Am Mr. Mosely 2[44]
  • Released: July 2016
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
So Cold I Do Em[45]
  • Released: December 2016
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Cold Devil[10]
  • Released: December 2017
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Free Drakeo[46]
  • Released: March 2020
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Thank You for Using GTL[47]
(with JoogSZN)
  • Released: June 2020
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
We Know the Truth[48]
  • Released: December 1, 2020
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Because Y'all Asked[49]
  • Released: December 29, 2020[50]
  • Label: EMPIRE
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
A Cold Day In Hell[51]
(with Ralfy the Plug)
  • Released: April 19, 2021
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Ain't That the Truth[52][53]
  • Released: July 16, 2021[54]
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
So Cold I Do Em 2[55]
  • Released: December 7, 2021[56]
  • Label: Stinc Team
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Bub.		 US
R&B/HH		 CAN
"Talk to Me"[57]
(featuring Drake)		 2021 8
[58]		 43
[59]		 85
[60]		 The Truth Hurts

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "ACE Repertory". ASCAP. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  2. ↑ Daniel Kohn (December 18, 2021). "Drakeo The Ruler, Influential L.A. Rapper, Dies At 28". Spin. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  3. ↑ St. Jawnson, Kershaw (December 21, 2021). "Drakeo the Ruler's Mom Planning To Sue Over Son's Tragic Death". All Hip Hop. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Weiss, Jeff (March 9, 2018). "L.A. rapper Drakeo the Ruler is a man in demand". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Breihan, Tom (January 10, 2018). "Drakeo The Ruler Is Different, And Different Is Good". Stereogum. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  6. ↑ Berry, Peter A. (May 18, 2018). "THE BREAK PRESENTS: DRAKEO THE RULER". XXL. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler profile". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  8. ↑ Lilah, Rose (October 16, 2015). "I Am Mr. Mosley". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  9. ↑ Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (July 22, 2016). "Listen To Drakeo The Ruler's I Am Mr. Mosely 2 Mixtape". The Fader. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Drakeo the Ruler: Cold Devil". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  11. ↑ Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (December 22, 2017). "Drakeo The Ruler returns with his Cold Devil album". The Fader. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  12. ↑ Thompson, Paul A. (January 5, 2018). "Cold Devil review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  13. ↑ Rindner, Grant (June 14, 2018). "Time to Take Over the World: An Interview With Incarcerated Rapper Drakeo the Ruler". Pigeons and Planes. Complex. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  14. ↑ Mojica, Nick (January 16, 2018). "Drakeo The Ruler Hits the Streets in Flu Flamming Video – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  15. ↑ Berry, Peter A. (January 4, 2018). "Drakeo The Ruler Drops Big Banc Uchies Video – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  16. ↑ Berry, Peter A. (January 11, 2018). "Drakeo The Ruler Drops Out the Slums Video With 03 Greedo – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler, People's Champion". Complex. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  18. ↑ Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (September 11, 2018). "While he awaits trial, Drakeo The Ruler shares a new video for "Roll Bounce"". The Fader. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Drakeo's Acclaimed Album Highlights How Much Prisons Profit From Phone Calls". NPR.org. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (June 10, 2020). "Album review: Drakeo the Ruler: Thank You for Using GTL". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  21. 1 2 @IamMrMosely (February 21, 2021). "THE TRUTH HURTS OFFICIAL TRACKLIST STAY MAD FEB 23 2021 ..." (Tweet). Retrieved February 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
  22. ↑ Weiss, Jeff (February 15, 2017). "Drakeo Could Be L.A.'s Gucci Mane — and Not Just Because He's Currently Doing Time". LA Weekly. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  23. ↑ Coleman II, C. Vernon (April 8, 2018). "DRAKEO THE RULER PROCLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE AS HE SITS IN JAIL FACING MURDER CHARGES". XXL Mag. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  24. ↑ Jones, Charlie Robin (November 5, 2018). "An interview with LA rapper Drakeo the Ruler from behind bars". Dazed. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  25. ↑ Weiss, Jeff (April 6, 2018). "A Jail House Interview With Drakeo the Ruler". Passion of the Weiss. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  26. ↑ Weiss, Jeff; Ross, Alex Robert (July 25, 2019). "Drakeo The Ruler acquitted of murder and attempted murder charges". The Fader. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  27. ↑ Weiss, Jeff; Ross, Alex Robert (September 3, 2019). "Drakeo The Ruler faces possibility of life in prison as DA refiles charges". The Fader. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  28. ↑ Limbong, Andrew (November 5, 2020). "Drakeo The Ruler Released From Jail After Accepting Plea Deal". NPR. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  29. 1 2 3 Dillon, Nancy (December 20, 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Drakeo the Ruler's Mom Says She Plans to Sue Over His Killing. 'I Want Justice for My Son'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  30. ↑ Kiszla, Cameron (December 18, 2021). "Rapper Drakeo the Ruler reportedly stabbed in neck during Once Upon A Time in LA festival in Exposition Park". KTLA. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  31. ↑ Quelly, James; Vega, Priscella; Wood, Mikael; Wigglesworth, Alex; Jackson, Nate (December 18, 2021). "Police searching for assailant who fatally stabbed Drakeo the Ruler at concert". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  32. ↑ Krol, Charlotte (December 18, 2021). "Drakeo The Ruler reportedly dead after being stabbed at LA festival he was performing at". NME. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler dead after stabbing at Los Angeles concert; Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent performances canceled: report". Fox News. December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler Dead From Stabbing During L.A. Festival". TMZ. December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  35. ↑ Aswad, Jem (December 21, 2021). "Drakeo the Ruler's Mother Demands 'Justice' for Her Son's Murder, Plans to Sue". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  36. ↑ Drakeo the Ruler Mourned by Family, Friends, and Fans at Los Angeles Funeral
  37. ↑ Dillon, Nancy (January 12, 2023). "Live Nation Loses Bid to Get Drakeo the Ruler Stabbing Death Lawsuit Dismissed". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  38. ↑ Donahue, Bill (January 12, 2023). "Live Nation Must Face Lawsuit Over Drakeo The Ruler's Murder, Judge Rules". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  39. ↑ Eferighe, Joshua (December 21, 2021). "Snoop Dogg Calls For Peace In Hip Hop After Death Of Drakeo The Ruler". BET.
  40. ↑ Owoseje, Toyin (December 22, 2021). ""Rapper Wiz Khalifa Says It's Time For Musicians To Stop Beefing"". Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler: The Truth Hurts". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler - Keep the Truth Alive". Apple Music. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Pettypetty & Drakeo the Ruler – Out of Character - EP". Apple Music. February 15, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  44. 1 2 Rosario, Valerie Complex,Alexandra Del; Complex, Valerie; Rosario, Alexandra Del (December 19, 2021). "Rapper Drakeo The Ruler Dead After Stabbing At 'Once Upon A Time In L.A' Concert". Deadline. Retrieved December 20, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  45. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler: Cold Devil". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler: Free Drakeo". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler: Thank You for Using GTL". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler Is Free and Ready to Take Over With His New Project 'We Know the Truth'". Complex. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Drakeo The Ruler Fatally Stabbed at Los Angeles Concert". Complex. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler – Because Y'all Asked". Apple Music. December 29, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler & Ralfy the Plug – A Cold Day In Hell". Apple Music. April 19, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Here's Drakeo the Ruler's New Project 'Ain't That the Truth' f/ EST Gee, Shy Glizzy, and More". Complex. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler: Ain't That the Truth". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler – Ain't That The Truth". Apple Music. July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler Dies at 28, Stabbed at Los Angeles Festival". Pitchfork. December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Drakeo the Ruler – So Cold I Do Em 2". Apple Music. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Drakeo The Ruler Recruits Drake For 'Talk to Me': Listen". Billboard. February 24, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  58. ↑ "Drake Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Drake Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  60. ↑ "Drake Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
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