Lamented by the hip-hop community and his dedicated fan base, La Capone's death in 2013 marked the tragic and untimely loss of a rising star in the Chicago rap scene.
The young rapper, whose real name was Leonard Anderson, was just beginning to gain recognition for his talent when he met his unfortunate end.
In this article, we explore the circumstances surrounding La Capone's death and the impact it had on the music world.
Who Was LA Capone?
Born on September 18, 1996, in Chicago, La Capone grew up in a city that was no stranger to the challenges of urban life. At a young age, he found solace and expression in music, specifically in the genre of drill rap, which was characterized by its gritty lyrics and raw storytelling.
He quickly gained recognition in the Chicago drill scene, drawing attention for his lyrical prowess and unique style.
LA Capone was an American rapper who rose to prominence after collaborating with Lil Durk, a well-known hip-hop artist. Many of Capone's music videos went viral on social media, turning him into an internet sensation.
He was a part of Lil Durk's collective ‘Only the Family,' as well as a member of ‘Black Disciples.' Capone, like many other Chicago rappers, was a fan of ‘Drill-music,' a Hip Hop subgenre.
How Did LA Capone Die?
LA Capone was walking down an alley at 6 p.m. on September 26, 2013, after recording a song at a studio near ‘Stony Island Avenue' in Chicago. He was there with a friend.
An unknown assailant opened fire on him as he was about to get into his car. One of the bullets struck Capone in the thigh and penetrated all the way to his lower back.
Capone was transported to ‘Northwestern Memorial Hospital,' where he died at 8:30 p.m. due to blood loss. At the time of his death, LA Capone was just 17 years old.
Because Capone was a member of the group ‘600,' he had many enemies from other gangs such as ‘Gangster Disciples and ‘051 Young Money.'
As a result, many people assumed that someone from one of his rival groups was responsible for his death.
Police reported in August 2014 that three gang members had been arrested in connection with LA Capone's murder. Michael Mays, Sakhee Hardy-Johnson, and Meiko Buchanan were accused of the murder of LA Capone.
Meiko Buchanan, like Michael Mays and Sakhee Hardy-Johnson, was a member of the ‘051 Young Money' gang, although she was later shown to be a vehicle driver. It was claimed that his murder was motivated by his rivalry with ‘051 Young Money.'
How Did LA Capone Rise to Fame?
La Capone's rise to fame can be largely attributed to his collaboration with fellow Chicago rapper Lil Durk, with whom he released a series of tracks that gained considerable traction in the hip-hop community.
His raw talent and ability to capture the realities of life on the streets resonated with listeners and led to a growing fan base.
In 2011, Lil Durk founded the collective ‘Only the Family,' which includes LA Capone. LA Capone rose to prominence after appearing in music videos with artists such as RondoNumbaNine.
He also began participating in Lil Durk's videos and began posting his own music videos on social media channels such as YouTube and Twitter. He then rose to notoriety as a social media sensation, amassing over 100,000 followers on his official Instagram account.
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LA Capone highlighted his lifestyle, which included his love of consuming marijuana, in everything from his music videos to his social media posts. He was also influenced by gangster culture, which is apparent in many of his songs.
Though LA Capone did not get the opportunity to release his own mixtape while alive, his fellow rappers and pals created a mixtape titled ‘King LA' after his death. The mixtape includes some of Capone's most well-known songs, including ‘Round Here,' ‘Play for Keeps,' ‘So Loud,' and ‘The Gat.'