Rapper Young Dolph was shot and killed in his hometown of Memphis on Wednesday afternoon, multiple law enforcement sources told local news station FOX13.
Known for collaborating widely and his deadpan bravado, his last solo album, “Rich Slave,” debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard chart last year.
Dolph, whose real name is Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr., was inside Makeda’s Butter Cookies in Memphis, when employees said someone drove up and shot him, the bakery’s owner told FOX13. According to a tweet from Memphis police, he was pronounced dead on the scene. He was 36.
Young Dolph was well known in the Memphis area and donated turkeys around Thanksgiving time. He donated to Hamilton High School, which he attended, and spoke to students. He was in Memphis participating in local charity work for Thanksgiving at the time of the shooting.
In 2018, he made headlines for donating $20,000 to two baristas at Duke University who were fired for playing his song “Get Paid.” He also flew the two out to see his performance at the Rolling Loud music festival.
Following the news of his death, tributes for Young Dolph poured in on social media from fans and fellow artists.
