Huey was shot and killed on Thursday night (June 25) in St. Louis, Missouri. Best known for his 2006 hit, the 32-year-old was gunned down in front of a house in the city’s Kinloch area around 11 p.m CDT. Local news station Fox 2 Now St. Louis reports that Huey was rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
According to the Ferguson Police Department, a second victim in the shooting was also transported and treated at a local hospital. He’s reportedly expected to survive after sustaining non-life threatening injuries.
Social media tributes have poured out from fans and Huey’s former collaborators, as hip hop lovers remember his legacy and career. His hit record “Pop, Lock & Drop It” peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2007 and climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. In April, Huey dropped of his most recent single, “Pulled Away.”
“It is with great sadness that we share that a member of the Que Records family has passed on,” Que Records CEO William “Quayshaun” Carter said in a press statement. “It was a pleasure to work with Huey for the release of his Redemption album in 2009 with EMI. It was a happy time for us. It was Que Records’ first big release. It meant the world to us and Huey meant the world to us. His death is a tragic loss. Huey and his partner Rhome McGee were doing a lot for their community, hosting events and growing their self-funded clothing line.”
“The violence has to stop. We can’t only be horrified when white cops kill Black men. We have to equally be concerned when Black men kill Black men,” he continued. “The day that we hold each other in the same value is the day that we finally gain the respect that we deserve as a people.”
“We send our condolences to Huey’s daughter and to his family and friends. We ask that everyone keeps us in their prayers and not let his vision and dreams die with us. Let’s continue on the path of Black excellence.”
Huey’s cousin — battle rapper Bruce Franks Jr. — paid tribute to the late rapper on Twitter.
“The last time we performed together! Y’all knew him as Huey, to his loved ones he was LJ! My lil cousin!” he tweeted, along with a photo of himself and Huey. “Rest Easy! This shit us hard man!”
“Shed a few , my dawg Huey is gone forever,” artist JAYLIEN added. “Thank you for the talk, thank you for your energy, thank you for believing in me. Ima help keep your spirit alive down here. much much love forever.”
Huey leaves behind a 13-year-old daughter. Police have not made any arrests in the shooting at this time.
Our hearts go out to Huey’s fans, family and friends. See more tributes to the late rapper below.