Rapper Young Dolph shot and killed as he entered Memphis bakery
It's claimed Young Dolph was shot by an unknown assailant who pulled up outside a cookie shop
Young Dolph was shot and killed while shopping in Memphis on Wednesday (November 17).
The 36-year-old rapper was shot as he entered a bakery, Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, in the Tennessee city, according to an eyewitness account shared to Fox 13.
TMZ added that a vehicle reportedly pulled up outside before an unknown assailant fired at Young Dolph through the window.
Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr, was accompanied by one other person at the time of the attack.
Fox 13 reporter Jeremy Pierre shared pictures from the scene of the attack, which show Dolph’s camouflage Lamborghini in the shop’s car park.
TMZ added that the rapper was previously targeted during a shooting in 2017.
An argument with fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti allegedly resulted in multiple shots fired at Dolph’s SUV in Charlotte, North Carolina four years ago. Dolph used the apparent incident to promote his album ‘Bulletproof’, which featured the song ‘100 Shots’.
The rapper, who was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised by his grandmother in Memphis, released his debut album ‘King Of Memphis’ in 2016, which peaked at number 49 on the Billboard 200 chart. His latest album, 2020’s ‘Rich Slave’, featured the single ‘RNB’ with Megan Thee Stallion.
Dolph released five studio albums in total between 2016 and 2020, and dozens of mixtapes between 2008 and 2017.
Tributes have poured in for the later rapper, including from fellow Chicago-born artist Chance The Rapper. He wrote: “God bless Dolph […] Real independent Memphis rapper born in Chicago. loved by millions of ppl. Always showed love everytime I seen him this is tragic God bless his family man.”
Megan The Stallion said: “I am sooo sick rn I am in disbelief! Praying for his family and friends ! Rest In Peace to my friend a true legend dolph.”
MC J Stone wrote: “Damn 🙏🏾 R.I.P @youngdolph you was a big inspiration and I can honestly say you fucced wit me. Rest Well Bruh we made great music together.”
See more tributes below.
Dolph released his debut studio album ‘King of Memphis’ in 2016. It peaked at number 49 on the Billboard 200 chart. He followed the record with his album ‘Rich Slave’, featuring the single RNB with Megan Thee Stallion, in August 2020.