Rapper Dolla gunned down in Los Angeles

Dolla’s CD Cover Photo Source: Dolla Myspace web site

Despite not knowing about Dolla, it saddens me to hear about another young person getting kill especially while trying to make some positive changes to his life. His killing comes 12 years after rapper, Notorious B.I.G., was shot in Los Angeles.

According to his Myspace web site, Dolla also known as Roderick Anthony Burton II was born in Chicago, Illinois as a twin. His twin sister died at birth. “He began his musical journey in his early teens. Forming a group called Da Razkals Cru with friends Scrappy and Sas, a 12 year-old Dolla rapped in showcases around his Atlanta, Georgia hometown. Eventually, the group caught the attention of both Missy Elliott and P. Diddy however those two weren’t the only executives interested. By 2001, the threesome signed to Elektra Records where Dolla met then unknown singer, Akon, who was producing for the label.”

"I’ve known Akon and his brother, Bu, since I was 12 and we’ve stayed cool," says Dolla on his web site. Living back and forth between Los Angeles and Atlanta, he modeled for Diddy’s clothing line, Sean John, and his image garnered a towering billboard.

Rapper Dolla Photo Source: Dolla’s Myspace web site

The Atlanta-based rapper was fatally shot in the valet waiting area of the Beverly Center mall Monday by a suspect who fled in a silver Mercedes SUV, according to police. Officers later detained a "person of interest" as he approached the ticketing area at Los Angeles International Airport armed with a gun.

According to the LATimes.com, “The LAPD has not announced a motive for the attack or identified any suspects. Detectives are questioning a woman they detained at the scene and a man who allegedly drove from the mall to LAX in a rented silver Mercedes SUV. Police later found the Mercedes in an airport parking lot. LAPD officials, who spoke on the condition that they not be named because of the continuing inquiry, said they are investigating whether the man was trying to get a flight out of L.A.”