The death of George Floyd has put the focus back on police brutality’s effects on the black community amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Since he passed away on Monday (May 25), more details about Floyd’s life have come to the surface — including his history with DJ Screw.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Floyd was a Houston native who moved from his hometown to Minneapolis in 2018. He also rapped under the moniker Big Floyd, appearing on multiple DJ Screw mixtapes and the Presidential Playas album Block Party.
As news of Floyd’s death began to spread, members of the Screwed Up Click mourned his loss via social media as they came to realize the victim was their old friend. S.U.C. stalwarts such as Trae Tha Truth, Lil Keke and E.S.G. were among the notable names commenting on the loss of Floyd.
“Minneapolis Police, Murdered My Homie In Broad Daylight,” Trae wrote via Instagram. “Houston Texas This is one of our own From 3rd Ward Cuney Homes!! This Video is Heartbreaking To Watch Him Beg For His Life… This Was A Good Man, He Always Helped Out In The community and wit the kids and More..”
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He added, “He Lost A Lot Of Family in Life And Now Y’all Murder Him … Your Only Reason You Say is because a check didn’t go through!! U Got Me FUCKED Up!! @shaunking @leemerrittesq It’s That Time !! I’m Applying Pressure!!! Rest Easy George Floyd….”
Longtime S.U.C. member Mike D remembered Floyd as the “the big brother we all loved.” Screwed Up Click vet Chris Ward expressed his shock in finding out the man who died in police custody was someone he knew.
“Them POLICE BRUTALITY ASS COPS Police car from Minneapolis Shouldn’t have had that much pressure on 1 human being to kill him,” Ward wrote via Twitter. “On top of that I had no CLUE WHATSOEVER THAT THAT WAS BIG FLOYD. #3rdWardLegend #RIPGeorgeFloyd #RipBIGFloyd #JusticeForFloyd.”
Cal Wayne, another Houston-bred rapper, praised Floyd as an important mentor in his life and career.
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“This wasn’t my friend this was my big brother,” he wrote on Instagram. “My true O.G. Big Floyd any song I made you hear who taught me ‘George Big Floyd’ @bigfloyd3 @bigfloyd4god_rtg fuck the law. Y’all made my brother beg and the whole world saw him tell y’all ‘yall killing me’! Dam! #RESPEKDAGHETTO.”
Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired for their role in the death of Floyd.
Derek Chauvin, one of the officers involved in the incident, was caught on video pressing his knee on the back of the victim’s neck. The officer refused to ease up on the restraint despite Floyd’s repeated pleas indicating he couldn’t breathe.
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Floyd eventually lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital by an ambulance. He died at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, sparking outrage and protests.
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Revisit a better time in Floyd’s life by listening to some of his past raps below.
