Suspect Named in Shooting Death of Atlanta Rapper Trouble

Photo Credit: Rockdale County Sheriff's Office

Jamichael Jones is wanted in connection with the 

the murder of Atlanta rapper Trouble.  

Atlanta rapper Trouble, who broke onto the scene with the breakout hit "Bussin" on his 2011 debut
mixtape "December 17th" and was best known for his collaborations with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, is dead at 34.

According to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, the artist, whose real name is Mariel Semonte Orr and was also known as Skoob, was shot and killed Sunday morning in Rockdale County.

In a news release, officials said deputies from the office responded to the Lake St. James apartment complex located at 50 St. James Dr. in Conyers, Georgia, after reports of a shooting around 3:20 a.m.

Once there, police discovered Orr lying on the ground from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and was later pronounced dead.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 33-year-old Jamichael Jones in connection with the murder which may have been triggered by a domestic dispute.

“What we know and what I can tell you is that with Mr. Mariel Orr which is the victim was visiting a female friend at the complex and Mr. Jamichael Jones did know the female and it was a domestic situation,” Rockdale County Public Information Officer Jedidia Canty said. “I know there are a lot of people that are really upset right now about the situation.”

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Trouble's label, Def Jam Recordings, mourned the rapper's death on its official Instagram account.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the children, loved ones, and fans of Trouble. A true voice for his city and an inspiration to the community he proudly represented. RIP Skoob,” the label posted.

Following his mixtape success with "December 17th" (ranked number 23 on Complex’s “The 25 Best Mixtapes of 2011” ), he was named to XXL magazine’s list of “15 Atlanta Rappers You Should Know” in 2013 and eventually produced two studio albums "Edgewood" in 2018 and "Thug Luv" in 2020.

It was his collaborations with platinum artists like Drake, The Weekend and other Atlanta rappers such as the Migos that made him a star.

Several of them turned to social media to mourn his death Sunday. 

And I woke up to rip trouble…. Everybody texting be careful! Smh rip fam!!!! https://t.co/P9Kebuct9p

— MeekMill (@MeekMill) June 5, 2022

R.I.P. Trouble 😔

— Gucci Mane (@gucci1017) June 5, 2022

Prolific producer Mike Will Made-It, who signed Trouble to a record deal on his label Ear Drummer Records in 2017 and served as executive producer on his debut album "Edgewood," wrote that "Trouble’s personality lit up a room and his conversation left you more creative then when you walked in,” in his Instagram Stories. 

He added, "His accent, dialect, and charisma were of constant discussion when we spoke; usually chats full of laughter.”

Young Thug to Remain Jailed Until 2023 After Being Denied Bond in Racketeering Case

Photo Credit: YouTube screengrab

Prosecutors described Young Thug as, “the top dog, the most dangerous man here, because he doesn’t have to get his hands dirty, he has others to do his business," Thursday as they moved to deny bond to the Atlanta-based rapper.

Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was one of 28 people associated with his YSL record imprint indicted on May 9 on conspiracy to violate the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and street gang charges.

Fulton County, Georgia, Judge Ural Glanvilld, handed the ruling down — which will keep Young Thug in jail until January of next year when he is expected to go on trial — in part because he was concerned with witness intimidation.

“I realize that Mr. Williams is presumed innocent,” Judge Glanville said. “However, in this particular circumstance there have been significant [claims] about Mr. Williams being a danger to the community.”

Prosecutor Don Geary told Judge Glanville during the hearing that Young Thug should not be allowed to “buy” his way out of jail and that other alleged gang members had admitted to prosecutors that they feared Young Thug and retaliation.

“They have stated uniformly that Mr. Williams is dangerous, they are afraid of him, that if they cross him he will kill them and their family,” Geary told Judge Glanville. “And they were very clear about that.”

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Lawyers for Young Thug tried to derail the prosecution's allegations delivered in the 88-page indictment that the record imprint he co-founded, YSL, is a violent street gang called Young Slime Life that has committed multiple murders, shootings and carjackings over roughly a decade presenting several witnesses of their own. 

Music executive Kevin Liles, the co-founder of 300 Entertainment, offered perhaps the most powerful testimony. He tearfully testified that Williams was “like a son” and said he was willing to put up his own wealth and business behind a bond for him. 

Kevin Liles spoke to his relationship with Young Thug, his character, and the relevance of his rap lyrics to the RICO gang case during Thug’s bond hearing

FULL: https://t.co/98Qtl8BknB pic.twitter.com/WpdvJjoQd6

— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) June 2, 2022

Liles added: "[Young Thug] is not just an artist — he’s an influencer, a person I think was put here to change the people around him” and a “contributing citizen to this world.” 

Williams who has been in custody since his arrest last month at his home in an upscale neighborhood north of downtown Atlanta, joins labelmate, platinum rapper and mentee Gunna, real name Sergio Kitchens, as the two most notable YSL members to be denied bail after he was denied bond by a judge last week. 

Cam'ron Trades the Mic for Hip-Hop Home Makeover Show

Photo Credit: Paramount+ via YouTube screen capture

War, mass shootings, food shortages — 2022 has been sort of a bummer, and that's without even mentioning the "C" word.

We could all use a break right now or at the very least a distraction from the hard cold (or very hot depending on where you're at during this climate crisis) realities of the upcoming summer.

Cue Paramount+'s attempt to save the day with a home makeover show with a hip-hop twist.

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Premiering on the first day of summer (June 21), the streaming network's "Hip Hop My House" pairs Harlem rap icon Cam’ron, with interior designer Zeez Louize a production designer who has worked on campaigns for Disney Nature, Star Wars Episode VII, and Google Pixel.

Together, the dynamic duo will attempt to make one lucky superfan’s crib into a larger-than-life tribute to rap icons, past and present during a nine-episode run, and they won't be alone. Featured guests include Nelly, Tyga, Erica Banks, Migos and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie among others.

It remains to be seen if the series, produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and Anaïd Productions, will ever see the heights of fellow rapper Xzibit's iconic 2000s car makeover show "Pimp My Ride," but the premise is promising.

Watch the full trailer for the new show below.