Rappers Who Died in 2022
Many shocking moments happened in music this year, both good and bad. The industry has specifically suffered a lot of big losses, including in the hip-hop community. From Snootie Wild to Wavy Navy Pooh, here are the rappers who died in 2022. Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
J $tash
Rapper J $tash died in January in a murder-suicide, People reports. The 28-year-old, whose real name was Justin Joseph, reportedly shot and killed a woman thought to be his girlfriend, 27-year-old Jeanette Gallegos, in a California residence before turning the gun on himself. Her three children were reportedly there at the time of the murders. J $tash was from Florida and had gained attention for his 2014 song “Guerillas.”
Lil Devin
Lil Devin was born in Indiana as Devin Swain. He would gain recognition for tracks such as “MVP” and his remix to Coi Leray’s “No Parties.” Devin was killed in January while celebrating the New Year at a party at his family’s home, according to local news outlet WXIN.
Witnesses told the outlet the house was broken into by several masked men who attacked Devin, leaving him with “injuries to his chest.” He was transported to a hospital, where he died. Devin was 24.
Wavy Navy Pooh
Born Shandler Beaubien, Wavy Navy Pooh was a Miami rapper perhaps most recognized for his song “Money On My Head” with Moneybagg Yo. While he had yet to achieve mainstream success, he seemed destined for greatness, having signed to Quality Control Music — home to artists such as Lil Baby, Migos, and the City Girls.
Tragically, he died in January in a drive-by shooting. The Miami Herald reports he was riding in a car with three other individuals, including two young children, when someone ambushed him. The others were not hurt. Wavy Navy Pooh was 28 years old at the time of his death.
TDott Woo
Drill rapper TDott Woo lost his life in a shooting in Brooklyn, New York, in February. ABC News reports that the rapper (real name Tahjay Dobson) was outside when a bullet struck him. Woo was friends with Pop Smoke — one of the rappers who died in 2020 in a home invasion — and had apparently just finalized a recording contract with Million Dollar Records in the hours before his death. He was 22.
Snootie Wild
Music fans will remember Memphis rapper Snootie Wild for the 2014 radio anthem “Yayo” and its remix featuring Fabolous, Jadakiss, French Montana, and YG. The rapper, signed to Yo Gotti’s CMG imprint, would go on to release other popular singles such as “Made Me” with K Camp and 2016’s “Rich or Not.” But “Yayo” remains his most popular song.
Snootie (real name LePreston Porter) reportedly died in February after a shooting in Houston, Texas. ABC13 reports that police responding to calls of shots fired discovered Snootie in a ditch suffering a gunshot wound to the neck. He later died at the hospital. Snootie was 36.
Snootie Wild’s death came just months after the murder of fellow Memphis rapper Young Dolph. Best known for his 2016 anthem “Preach,” Dolph was killed at a cookie shop in his hometown in November of 2021, also aged 36. Police have since arrested several suspects for his murder. Dolph was one of over a dozen rappers who died in 2021.
Goonew
Born Markelle Morrow, Goonew was a rapper from the Washington D.C. area. He had gained attention for his song “Stain” but died before reaching mainstream success. Local news outlet News4 reported that he was shot on March 18 in Prince George’s County and pronounced dead at a hospital. Family members reportedly believe that Goonew was killed in a robbery, but police are still working to determine what happened. He was 24.
Lil Keed
Lil Keed’s death was announced on Saturday, May 14 by his brother, Lil Gotit. According to Atlanta news outlet 11Alive, he shared a post online reading, “Can’t believe I seened u die today bro I did all my cries I know what u want me to do and that’s go hard for Mama Daddy Our Brothers Naychur and Whiteboy.” Lil Keed’s cause of death, however, is still unclear. Born Raqhid Render, Keed was an Atlanta native best known for his Billboard-charting song “Nameless.”
Trouble
Rapper Trouble reportedly died over the weekend of June 3, according to AllHipHop. He had become known for songs such as “Ain’t My Fault” and for his past relationship with social media star Alexis Skyy.
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