The hip-hop community is in tears following the death of up-and-coming star Julio Foolio, whose actual name was Charles Jones. Influential in the scene of drill rap—music that describes life in the city—Foolio had been at the forefront of the genre through his gritty, provocative music videos. Tragically, Foolio was shot and killed early Sunday morning after celebrating his 26th birthday.
His presence in the hip-hop world was undeniable. Millions of views on such notable tracks as “Voodoo” and “Slide” brewed a discussion about real urban life. How he expressed himself in an unrestrained form made him quite famous among others in the drill rap genre. At the time of his death, Foolio’s estimated net worth was to be around $1 million, portraying his growing success and fame.
The rising star had turned 26 a week earlier in Tampa, Florida. So he and his friends spent that weekend having a pool party at an Airbnb, then a birthday party at Teasers, a gentlemen’s club. Foolio hyped it on social media, letting his fans know where the parties would be. As the night wore on, those parties ended in tragedy.
Foolio was ambushed and shot at in a Holiday Inn parking lot early Sunday morning. Officials said he had been removed from the Airbnb for having too many people at the residence over the allowed occupancy. Foolio was mortally wounded in the ambush, and three others were shot but are in stable condition. There is an investigation ongoing into the shooting, but at this point, there are no known suspects in this case.
Violence wasn’t anything new to Foolio, who had survived a few shootings in his hometown of Jacksonville. He was affiliated with the KTA gang, famously at odds with their rival, the ATK gang. Rapper Yungeen Ace is affiliated with this group. These two gangs have had a long-standing beef, one that to this day still puts stress on the community and sparks violence whenever possible, as captured through their lyrics and social media.
Right after the news, Foolio’s legal representative called for his family to be given privacy during this sad moment. It was via social media that his girlfriend, Mani, expressed her sadness and anger through some very touching messages about the love they shared and bonding. Several other fans and artists have reacted on social media amid reports of Foolio’s death, posting their condolences and memories of him.
The undeserved loss of Julio Foolio to hip-hop and the city of Jacksonville is palpable in the music he created, vivid in detail. It reflects hardship and times that go with urban life, is relatable for all, and brings influential conversations. Now, his fans and loved ones are left to reflect on this massive loss of a promising young artist whose influence was just beginning to be felt in the world and is now under investigation.
Julio Foolio’s legacy will live on through his music, undeniably inspiring many and sparking thoughts about the reality that a good number of people from the urban areas go through every day. The hip-hop community would hence recognize him for his daring contributions and strong messages passed to people through his art.
