Rapper Young Dolph Shot to Death at Bakery

Young Dolph

Authorities have confirmed that rapper Young Dolph was shot and killed today in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee while patronizing a local business.

Law enforcement sources confirmed to local news outlets, Fox13 and WREG, that Dolph walked into Makeda’s Butter Cookies in South Memphis to make a purchase at around 1 p.m. Owner Maurice Hill said someone then drove up and shot and killed the 36-year-old.

On the scene of a shooting on Airways. I’m hearing Memphis rapper Young Dolph may be a victim in the shooting. Shooting happened at Makeda’s Cookies. pic.twitter.com/Dw1nTcKV3C

— Jeremy Pierre FOX13 (@JeremypierreFOX) November 17, 2021

Born Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr., Dolph, was a staple of the Memphis music scene. In 2016 his debut album "King of Memphis" made him a breakout star and his last solo album "Rich Slave" reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in 2020.

Aside from his musical success, Fox13 reported that he was well known for handing out turkeys around Thanksgiving in Memphis through the Memphis Athletic Ministries charity and donating money to his alma mater, Hamilton High School.

Officers are on the scene of a shooting at 2370 Airways. One male victim was located and was pronounced dead. No suspect info is available at this time.
The victim will be identified once the next of kin notification has been completed.
Please call 901-528-CASH with tips.

— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) November 17, 2021

This was not the rapper's first brush with death. In September of 2017, he spent two weeks in the hospital after three men confronted him outside of a Memphis hotel. During the incident, a fight broke out, and Dolph was critically wounded after being shot three times. It was the second time the artist was shot that year. In February of 2017, he survived a barrage of over 100 bullets that targeted his SUV outside Charlotte, North Carolina.

Young Dolph has been shot and killed in Memphis pic.twitter.com/UJWPqNDm8M

— ❤️Ciara❤️ (@CeCeMonroeBadd) November 17, 2021

Four Months After Biological Mother's Death Keyshia Cole Loses Adoptive Father to Covid Complications

Just four months after losing her biological mother to an accidental drug overdose, R&B songstress Keyshia Cole is in mourning again following the death of her adoptive father Leon Cole.

On Tuesday Cole, 40, shared that her father died of Covid-19 complications on Instagram.

“Unfortunately my father didn’t make it through his complications, due to covid-19,” she wrote. “So here we are. He's the entire reason my last name is COLE. The only father I knew, he did such a great job here on earth!!!!!"

The singer added that even though he wasn't her biological father, Cole made sure to keep a stable foundation for her and the rest of the family during her childhood.

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“[He] taught me and my siblings that knowledge is power!!" she said. He was very dedicated to learning and sharing his strong thoughts and opinions on the Bible and religion... He was the greatest example of love, 51 years of marriage to my mother Yvonne Cole. Seriously the most loving guy I’ve ever known. And he’s gonna be missed so much! I hate that this has happened!!! And that I’ve now lost two beautiful souls within a few months from each other.”

Dr. Yvonne Cole, Keyshia's adoptive mother, confirmed the news of her husband's death in a statement posted on her Facebook page.

"With a heart of sadness and sincere condolences, we solicit your prayers for Dr. Yvonne Cole and the Cole family in the passing of Mr. Leon Cole, Jr." it read, next to a golden-framed picture of the deceased.

"You are welcome to leave your prayers and any heart warming [sic] messages as they deal with the passing of Mr. Leon Cole Jr, due to COVID 19 complications. We appreciate the support for our family from around the world," the post added.

It was the second loss of a parental figure in less than a year for Keyshia, who was adopted by the Coles at the age of two after being given up by her biological parents but reconnected with them when she grew up and found success.

Her biological mother Frankie Lons passed away on July 13 at the age of 61 from an accidental drug overdose at a gathering for her birthday. 

At the time Cole wrote a moving tribute to her mother, who had long battled addiction, on Instagram. 

"This is so hard man. Can’t really even find the words,” she began. “I honestly don’t even know how to feel. You can never prepare for something like this… Ever!” Cole added that she had been quoting Lons for weeks because her “humor was unmatched.” “Naturally so funny, that’s what I loved about your personality,” Cole continued. “We all did.” In addition to thanking her and her mom’s “fans and supporters,” Cole also noted that it was Lons’s greatest wish to have “all of [her] children in one place.” Cole concluded her tribute by promising to fulfill that wish for Lons. “Even through our differences …. WE LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!” Cole wrote.

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Chaka Khan and Stephanie Mills to go Head-to-Head in 'A Night for the Queens' Verzuz Battle

Two heavyweights of 80s R&B music are about to get into the virtual ring and duke it out for vocal superiority. 

On Nov. 18, Chaka Khan and Stephanie Mills will go head-to-head a special holiday edition of Verzuz.

The entertainment series created by Swizz Beats and Timbaland during the heart of the pandemic pits some of today and yesteryear's best artists against each other in a battle-rap format. 

The duo, who are friends off the stage, first pitched the idea for a showdown with each other last year. 

"Chaka was interested. We were willing to do it. The Verzuz people weren’t interested. Yeah, they weren’t interested.” Mills said during an interview with The Breakfast Club in June.

Mills wasn't sure why the battle didn't come together then, but the star, who rose to fame as Dorothy in the Broadway run of the musical "The Wiz," posted “It’s about to go down!” on Twitter following the announcement. 

The singer, a Grammy winner for "Never Knew Love Like This Before," faces a tough opponent in Khan —  who has 10 Grammys and is known as the "Queen of Funk."

Read the entire announcement below:

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