Kiing Shooter was on the verge of a promising career, but his life was cut unfairly short on Tuesday (May 5) when he passed away at the age of 24.
The Queensbridge rapper, who is currently signed to the Mass Appeal offshoot Street Dreams Records, was hospitalized with liver problems last month. Although his official cause of death hasn’t been confirmed, COVID-19 possibly played a role.
Mass Appeal label boss Nas shared a heartfelt post to his Instagram account not long after the news started making the rounds.
“You made your mark and got your wings,” he captioned a series of photos. “On many hearts, you pulled their strings. From QB to Heaven, the world in between. What a pleasure to have you, in our lives, in this world, in our world. We shared our street dreams. Condolences to @kiingshooter family and friends.”
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Street Dreams Records CEO and Nas’ brother Jabari “Jungle” Jones also took to Instagram with some sentiments of his own and appeared to be in utter shock.
“R.I.P. @kiingshooter my brother,” he captioned another series of photos. I can’t believe it..my condolences to your family bro! Young Queensbridge Legend!!! Can’t Believe this Shit!!!”
Mass Appeal also sent out a tweet mourning Shooter’s loss, writing, “You never stopped giving and impacted the hearts of so many.
“Whether through your music or your presence, you lit up the room. To one of Queensbridge’s finest, an artist, and a true visionary, rest in power and paradise.”
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On April 24, Shooter revealed he was in the hospital and hinted alcohol was the culprit — more specifically, Hennessy.
“This Can’t Be Life,” he wrote in the caption. “I Said Henny Was Stronger Than The Rona I Ain’t Kno It Was That Strong. No More Drinkin For Me.”
A memorial service was held in Queensbridge Park on Tuesday (May 5) for the late rapper, but was broken up by NYPD officials due to a violation of coronavirus-pandemic restrictions. The service reportedly had around 50 people attend, and a current restriction is placed on groups of more than 10 people.