Lil Marlo, given name Rudolph Johnson, was found dead in his car on a highway in Atlanta, Georgia late Saturday night. Johnson was pronounced dead on the scene, police responders finding him to have been shot. NBC News confirmed his death on the morning of Sunday, July 12th.
Many have mourned the loss of the promising artist, signed to Quality Control Music in 2017. Marlo first appeared on the music scene with the album 2 Hard the Way (2017), a collaboration with labelmate and close friend Lil Baby.
Lil Marlo had since been one of the most active affiliates of the Quality Control Music label. The rapper put out three solo mixtapes since joining the label.
Marlo released the album 1st & 3rd earlier this year. The 14-track project includes guest appearances from Lil Baby, Future, Gucci Mane, Blac Youngsta, Moneybagg Yo, Gunna and Young Dolph. The album’s top songs have raked in over 4 million Spotify streams.
Marlo displayed love for his hometown within his music. He had recently been working on a project with Lil Yachty, the two looking forward to its eventual release. Lil Yachty has posted on Instagram lamenting Marlo’s death, acknowledging the work the two of them shared.
Quality Control Music has gone to social media to acknowledge the loss, describing Johnson as “a man of great talent … who feared nothing.”
Marlo most recently put out the single “Tilt” this past June.
