ARTIST Drakeo the Ruler was acquitted of felony murder charges over a shooting that happened at a warehouse party – years before his death. Prosecutors alleged that Darrell Caldwell, 28, was plotting to kill rapper RJ – also known as Rodney Brown in December 2016.
AFPDrakeo the Ruler was acquitted of felony murder charges over a shooting that happened at a warehouse party in December 2016 '/ ' 
gofundmeDavion Gregory was killed following a shooting in California in December 2016 '/ ' They claimed that Drakeo met with Jaiden Boyd and Mikell Buchanan to provide them with firearms. But, Brown was never at the warehouse event in Carson, California, The Fader reports. Davion Gregory was killed while two others were injured after gunfire erupted. Cops said at the time that it wasn't clear if the shooting was targeted or random. Rumors circulated online that Drakeo was involved in the incident after his Mercedes car was apparently spotted leaving the scene. Cops started investigating him as a suspect and the artist was arrested in January after they raided his flat and found guns, according to The Guardian. Most read in The US Sun MORE MONEY $3,000 being sent out NOW after '$1,100 surprise Christmas payments arrive' EARLY XMAS PRESENT Stimulus checks worth $3K to start hitting banks days before Christmas GRAVE THREAT Sarah Palin says she'll get vaxxed 'over my dead body' despite Covid diagnosis BIKE MAC & FRIES McDonald's fans go wild over vid showing customers riding exercise bikes MONSTER MANSION How Playboy Bunnies were plagued by tragedy after Holly Madison admission SAFETY FEARS Urgent warning to millions of iPhone users over 'dangerous' Bluetooth update Francis Hardiman, of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, said Drakeo's rap music would be the "soundtrack" in a trial. He said: "Jurors don't like to see that stuff… your rap videos of you talking about the shooting." Read our Drakeo The Ruler live blog for the very latest news and updates... Hardiman claimed that attorneys could prosecute the rapper if they played the lyric "chopper makes you go ugh". Chopper is a slang term for a rifle. Shannon Cooley added: "As his moniker suggests, he is the leader. They rap about their crimes." Prosecutors peddled the narrative despite knowing that a 17-year-old alleged gang member admitted to the killing, and a man linked to Drakeo's rap crew fired additional shots. Drakeo branded prosecutors' interpretation of his lyrics and music as "laughable". He told The Guardian: "The whole point of me starting to rap is I get to rap and talk about these things and not do these things. "And what would you rather, me rapping about stuff that I'm not actually doing, or out there doing it? It's not real. ...LAUGHABLE' "Rapping is rhyming and pretending. It's a persona." In July 2019, Drakeo was acquitted of all charges of murder and attempted murder. The jury was deadlocked on two counts – criminal gang conspiracy and shooting from a vehicle. LA County prosecutors tried to retry Drakeo on conspiracy charges but the case was resolved with a plea in November 2020. Attorney John Hamasaki, who defended the star, said: "We spent the hardest two years together fighting for his freedom, facing life, before walking out a free man just over a year ago." The lawyer said the pair became "friends" during the case. Meanwhile, Buchanan was convicted of murder and attempted murder with a gang enhancement. Drakeo was allegedly stabbed to death during a backstage melee at the Once Upon a Time concert in LA on Saturday night. It was reported that Drakeo was involved in an ongoing feud with the rapper YG. ...RAP BEEF' YG was set to perform at the concert where the tragedy unfolded. Drakeo allegedly threatened to kill YG in a viral social media video if he didn't stop disrespecting him in interviews. The California Highway Patrol, which is leading the investigation, told The Sun that "there's nothing credible" to suggest any of the other performers were involved in the incident that led to Drakeo being fatally stabbed. Raised in South Los Angeles by his single mom, Drakeo the Ruler found fame after DJ Mustard remixed his song Mr. Get Dough in 2015. In October 2015 he released his first official mixtape I Am Mr Mosely on Mustard's 10 Summers label. I Am Mr Mosely 2 was issued in July the following year and So Cold I Do Em, which featured Impatient Freestyle was released in December. Drakeo recorded a 16-track mixtape Cold Devil in just ten days which was released in December 2017 and gained widespread critical acclaim. Tributes poured in after news of Drakeo's death emerged. Drake wrote on his Instagram story: "Nah man this sh*t isn't right for real wtf are we doing always picked my spirit up with your energy RIP Drakeo.... DJ Akademiks added on Twitter: ...RIP Drakeo The Ruler.... While 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. ...He was special, a legit genius, and a kind, caring friend. There are no words to convey the grief." 
Getty Images - GettyDrakeo found fame in 2015 after DJ Mustard remixed his song Mr Get Dough '/ ' Source:
