Skrilla, a Philadelphia rapper, has been hospitalized in critical condition after he was shot in Chicago on Thursday early morning. The flourishing star is taking the hip-hop world by storm. He was ambushed while leaving a recording studio on the Northwest side of the city.
According to witness accounts, five to six men jumped out of a vehicle and opened fire. Those hit included Skrilla and others standing around him. It wasn’t clear how seriously he was hurt. But two Louisville news outlets reported that Skrilla-identified by police as Jemille Marrail Edwards-was shot in the neck.
This has left fans and the music industry in a state of shock, as he was attacked while on a routine working trip to connect with his audience via social media. Skrilla was in Chicago working with popular YouTuber Brandon Buckingham, filming a vlog as part of his ongoing effort to connect with his audience through social media.
Hailing from the Kensington area in Philadelphia, Skrilla has admittedly built a good name for himself through raw, grimy rhymes and unapologetic storytelling. His latest effort, Underworld, which came to light early this month, showcases in full circle how different Skrilla can truly be as an artist.
Skrilla has never been tight-lipped about the personal experiences through which he molds his music, sometimes inspired by the loss of close friends and the tough realities of growing up in his community. The authenticity this shows among his craft is what designates him with a core group of people who relate to his messages.
Underworld showcases Skrilla paying tribute to the memories of not one but two of his friends who were taken from him-West Bankullah and YNG Cheese-a nod to his commitment toward those he has lost. These projects represent mixes of introspective rhymes against hard-hitting beats, flexing these abilities as he weaves street narratives into a greater scheme of emotional depth. Critical acclaim and fan responsiveness for keeping it true to his roots, furthering his creative boundaries.
His performance on the Lyrical Lemonade Stage, featuring Billboard Top 100 artist Kodak Black, along with other recent events, further solidified his rising leading role in the hip-hop community. It became evident in that performance that Skrilla was coming close to raising the bar even higher before this tragic incident occurred.
The shooting has now made the music world pay attention to the ongoing violence within the industry, specifically within the rap world. Fans and artists alike have come forward, speaking to the vulnerabilities many musicians still are faced with, even with fame on their side. Skrilla’s shooting came amid growing conversations about the struggle some artists from tough neighborhoods go through trying to make their way in the world.
Social media has been flooded with people coming in to show support on the social network by rallying for Skrilla. “We need to protect our artists, a fan commented on Instagram. “They give us so much, and they deserve better than this.” Another fan added, “Skrilla’s music saved me during rough times, I’m praying he pulls through.” Notwithstanding this massive support, the darker corners of the internet still bear the trollers that make light of the situation. This has brought into light the convoluted and at times quite hostile relationship artists have with online culture.
It’s an overpour of love for Skrilla. A GoFundMe campaign has already been put together by Noelle Allen to gather funds for surgery. The page shows community concern as different people make their donations and say a prayer for Skrilla’s health. Allen promised that everybody will be kept updated on his progress, although scant details have emerged so far.
Reports say three or four others were injured in the shooting, but no one has been reported dead. In the meantime, there are conflicting reports as to whether Brandon Buckingham-the YouTuber he was working with-was injured in the attack. Some say he wasn’t hurt by the bullets, while others say he might have been caught in crossfire.
Prior to his shooting, Skrilla had been working on expanding his artistic reach: a management deal with MiamiMusicMGMT and a co-publishing contract with Beatstars under Sony Music Publishing foreshadowed big projects coming soon. In interviews recently given, he spoke of using his platform to further the growth of other up-and-coming artists, even organizing festivals to offer more opportunities to emerging talent.
With all the success, Skrilla has never lost contact with his roots. The music coming from him always reflected struggles and triumphs in real life in Philadelphia, and it’s that authenticity that has made him a favorite in the underground rap world. His “BLAHDAHDAHDAHDAH” and “GOD DAMN,” offered earlier this year, were well-received, and he collaborated on the latter with big-name artists like Fivio Foreign and Rowdy Rebel-a testament to his rising clout.
The music world now holds its collective breath, anxiously awaiting word on Skrilla’s recovery. His team has asked for privacy during this painful time but has assured that any new information that would be released by pylint is shared with his following. As his followers rally around him, one thing becomes certain: Skrilla’s mark will not soon be silenced.
While his future is still uncertain, in Skrilla, one sees dedication to his craft and his growing fan base, and many hope he will pull through and continue churning out the music that speaks to the heart of his experiences.
