Lil Snupe
Addarren Ross (/ˈædærən/; June 13, 1995 – June 20, 2013), known professionally as Lil Snupe, was an American rapper from Jonesboro, Louisiana signed to Meek Mill's record label Dream Chasers Records. His death at a young age was honored by several hip hop musicians and made him the subject of numerous musical tributes and documentaries.
Lil Snupe | |
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Lil Snupe in 2012 | |
| Born | Addarren La Keith Ross June 13, 1995 Jonesboro, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | June 20, 2013 (aged 18) Winnfield, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds |
| Occupations |
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| Agent | DJ Smallz[1] |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 2012-2013 |
| Labels | |
Early life edit
Addarren Ross was born on June 13, 1995[2] in Jonesboro, Louisiana.[3] He was raised in Jonesboro primarily by his mother Denesha Chester. His father, Charlie Brown, was incarcerated for most of his life, and at the time of his death, his father was released.
According to testimony by a family friend, Lil Snupe's mother had him when she was approximately 14 or 15 years old.[4] According to accounts by Lil Snupe's mother Denesha Ross, the rapper struggled in school and was expelled three times.[5]
Career edit
2012–2013 Career beginnings and R.N.I.C edit
In 2012, Lil Snupe released his debut mixtape, 16 & Runnin: Tha Mixtape.
According to Lil Snupe, he signed to Meek Mill's record label Dream Chasers Records after sending out a demo to the rapper during his tour stop at the Grambling University in Louisiana.[6] Meek Mill describes coming back from the airport and being approached by Lil Snupe during an interview with Complex magazine: "We were on our way back to the airport, a little kid knocked on the window and gave us a demo. We listened to it, we liked it and he popped up in Philly one day and was hanging with us."[7] In March 2013, he released his single "Nobody Does It Better", a collaboration with his mentor American rapper Meek Mill.[8][9] In April 2013, he released his mixtape R.N.I.C with appearances from Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, Twinn U, Jay Knoxx, Trae Tha Truth, Tay, Curren$y and Big Poppa.[10]
2013–present: Posthumous releases edit
In December 2014, the single "Meant 2 Be" featuring Boosie Badazz was posthumously released.[11] In January 2015, his posthumous album R.N.I.C 2 (Jonesboro), the sequel to his April 2013 mixtape, was scheduled for release in February of that year.[12] In March 2016, Lil Snupe's team post-humously released his single "Comeback Freestyle" alongside an accompanying music video.[13] In December 2016, a 12-track album titled 16 & Runnin Resurrected with appearances from rappers C'Nyle, Money Bagz, Jemouri, and Raidcal was posthumously released by his family.[14]
Death edit
Shooting and subsequent arrests edit
| Killing of Lil Snupe | |
|---|---|
Winnfield Winnfield (Louisiana) Winnfield Winnfield (the US) | |
| Location | Winnfield, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Date | June 20, 2013 4:00 a.m. (CDT) |
Attack type | Homicide by shooting |
| Victim | Addarren Ross, a.k.a. Lil Snupe, aged 18 |
| Motive | Under investigation |
| Accused | Alleged shooter: Tony Holden Alleged accomplices: Edrick O. Stewart |
| Charges | Holden: |
On June 20, 2013, at around 4:00 a.m at the Maplewood Apartments in Winnfield, Louisiana, Lil Snupe was shot and killed. Winn Parish Coroner Investigators pronounced him dead on arrival after paramedics failed to revive him. According to reports, he suffered two gunshot wounds in the torso area.[15] According to a statement released by Louisiana's Winnfield City Police, officers responded to calls of a shooting at the Maplewood Apartments at 1901 South Jones Street at approximately 4:07 a.m. The Associated Press reported that an argument broke out during a video game and culminated in the shooting death of Lil Snupe.[16] On June 26, 2013, 36-year-old Tony Holden, the alleged killer of Lil Snupe, turned himself in to authorities. He was booked into the Winnfield city jail on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.[17][18] On July 3, 2013, 21-year-old Edrick O. Stewart was booked on charges of manslaughter in connection to Lil Snupe's murder.[19] During a November 2022 interview with the Boss Talk 101 podcast, Lil Snupe's mother revealed that the shooting allegedly occurred after a gambling argument involving the video game NBA 2K.[20]
Funeral and tributes edit
On June 21, 2013, upon learning the news of Lil Snupe's death, Meek Mill posted a series of tweets on his Twitter account expressing his sadness.[21] Later that month, Meek Mill revealed that Rick Ross wanted Lil Snupe on the MMG compilation album Self Made Vol. 3 and shared text messages in which he inquired the rapper about a feature.[22] He ended up being included on the album on the track "Lil Snupe Intro". During an interview with XXL on June 20, 2013, rapper Turk spoke about Lil Snupe's death, expressing his sadness and revealing that he was friends with the late rapper and that they were about to release a project together.[23]
Lil Snupe's funeral was held on June 29, 2013, at the Jonesboro-Hodge High School in Jonesboro, Louisiana. According to the HuffPost, hundreds of people were reportedly in attendance.[3] In July 2017, Meek Mill released the music video to his track "We Ball" featuring Young Thug as a tribute to Lil Snupe. The video features a segment of Lil Snupe freestyle rapping and imagery surrounding the themes of funerals and cemeteries.[24] In April 2021, Lil Snupe's father Charlie Brown, recently released from prison, documented his first visit to his son's grave and mentioned being disappointed that his son did not have a monument dedicated to him or a headstone, blaming rappers Meek Mill and Jay-Z for its condition.[25] In October 2021, Meek Mill released the song "Angels (RIP Lil Snupe)" as a tribute to the late rapper.[26]
Legacy edit
In January 2019, rapper Asian Doll named Lil Snupe as one of her lyrical influences for an interview for hip hop magazine XXL.[27] In July 2020, rapper GlitchMan named Lil Snupe as one of his influences.[28] In September 2021, a documentary titled The Dream Chaser which featured the life and career of Lil Snupe was screened at DocuFest 2021 in Dallas, Texas.[29] In March 2022, during an interview with hip hop magazine AllHipHop, rapper NLE Choppa named Lil Snupe when asked about his favorite rappers.[30]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
- R.N.I.C. 2 (Jonesboro) (2019)[31]
Mixtapes edit
- 16 & Runnin: Tha Mixtape (2012)
- R.N.I.C. (2013)
- R.N.I.C. Re-Visited (2014)
References edit
- ^ "Lil Snupe, Meek Mill Protege, Dead at 18". Hollywood Reporter. June 20, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "The Current Status of Every Murdered Rapper's Case". XXL. November 6, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ a b "Lil Snupe Funeral Attended By Hundreds As Slain Rapper Laid To Rest In Hometown (REPORT)". HuffPost. June 30, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Snupe: His Mother's Heart Is Broken After Tragic Death". Hollywood Life. June 25, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "A Local Doc About a Slain Rapper Aims for Catharsis Through Cinema". D Magazine. September 29, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ . MTV. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- ^ "Meek Mill On Lil Snupe: "I've Never Seen Nobody Like That."". Complex. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Nobody Does It Better". HotNewHipHop. March 30, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Listen: Lil Snupe f/ Meek Mill "Nobody Does It Better"". Complex. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "R.N.I.C." HotNewHipHop. April 14, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Meant 2 Be". HotNewHipHop. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Posthumous Lil Snupe Album "RNIC 2 (Jonesboro)" Scheduled For Release". AllHipHop. January 14, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Snupe Is Remembered in "Comeback Freestyle" Video". XXL. March 24, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "LIL SNUPE'S FAMILY UNLEASHES NEW MUSIC & DOCUMENTARY TEASER". HipHopDX. December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Snupe, Meek Mill Protégé, Dead At 18". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Suspect in rapper's Lil Snupe's death surrenders". Associated Press. June 25, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Suspect in Louisiana Rap Artist's Murder Arrested". ABC News. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ . KNOE-TV. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
- ^ "Lil Snupe Suspect #2 Arrested For Fatal Shooting". MTV. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Mama Snupe on Lil Snupe Killer went to the Funeral with Me and Lived at My Mothers House (Part 7)". Boss Talk 101. November 29, 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "MEEK MILL REACTS TO LIL SNUPE'S DEATH". XXL. June 21, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Snupe Was Tapped By Rick Ross For 'Self Made 3' Before Death". MTV. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Turk Reminisces On Lil Snupe: "He Was About To Blow Up"". XXL. June 20, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "See Meek Mill Pay Tribute to Lil Snupe in 'We Ball' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Snupe's Father Documents His First Visit to Son's Grave After Serving Prison Sentence". Complex. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "MEEK MILL DROPS VISUALS FOR TRIBUTE SONG "ANGELS (RIP LIL SNUPE)"". GRM Daily. October 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "Asian Doll Focuses on Unity for Next Move in Her Career". XXL. January 11, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "New Video: GlitchMan ft. Pooh Shiesty "Exotic"". Respect. July 13, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Snupe Documentary being filmed Tonight at DocuFest". Dallas Weekly. September 30, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ "NLE Choppa Talks 'Me vs. Me,' Tupac's Influence, Wellness, Fatherhood, Polygamy & More". AllHipHop. March 17, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Snupe Posthumously Releasing 'RNIC 2 (Jonesboro)' Album". XXL Mag. January 9, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2023.