PnB Rock, the Philadelphia rapper best known for his 2016 song “Selfish,” was shot dead during a robbery at the Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles restaurant in South Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, according to law enforcement officials.
According to Los Angeles police Capt. Kelly Muniz, a gunshot occurred around 1:15 p.m. She refused to identify the victim at the well-known cafe on Main Street and Manchester Avenue.
Rock, whose real name was Rakim Allen, was in the restaurant with his girlfriend, who had shared a location-tagged photo in a since-deleted Instagram post.
According to Muniz, a suspect displayed a weapon inside the cafe and demanded things from the victim. According to sources, Rock was targeted because of his valuables.
According to Muniz, the attacker shot the victim nearly immediately during the robbery.
“He shot the victim and escaped the parking lot through the side door,” she claimed.
According to Muniz, the man was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 1:59 p.m.
Los Angeles Police Department investigators are examining security video from inside the restaurant to identify the gunman, according to a law enforcement source. They are also inspecting nearby businesses to see whether security cameras got any photos of the suspect fleeing on foot or in a car.
According to Muniz, investigators were reviewing evidence Monday night. She refused to comment on what was found.
Rock was born in Philadelphia on December 9, 1991. He told Paper Magazine that when he was 19, he was motivated to start music after hearing Drake’s decade-defining album “Take Care.”
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Rock’s ability to blend melodies and rap made him an obvious choice for the hip-next hop stage. He rose to national prominence with his 2015 track “Fleek,” which turned a viral Vine video into an anthem for ladies all around the country trying to look their best. On “Cross Me,” he collaborated with a slew of musicians, including Ed Sheeran and Chance the Rapper.
One of his most memorable collaborations was with Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci in 2016 for the victory hymn “Everyday We Lit,” which peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest-charting single for either artist.
“It’s almost as if you can’t identify yourself when you’re still rapping in your s—.”
In 2017, he told Paper Magazine, “People can’t call me a rapper, but I don’t consider myself a vocalist either. I’m not going wild and hitting very high notes. I can’t sing Chris Brown for you. “I just have nice melodies.”
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The Billboard Hot 100 charted “Selfish” at No. 51. On September 2, Rock released his latest single, “Luv Me Again.”
Rock’s death comes as officials report an increase in “follow-home” robberies and other violent events.
Pop Smoke, a Brooklyn rapper whose true name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, was slain during a house invasion in the Hollywood Hills in February 2020.
Authorities think that social media posts, like a picture of a black gift bag with his address written on it, led the attackers to his home.
The Southeast Community Police Station of the Los Angeles Police Department, which covers the area where the shooting on Monday happened, has seen 34 killings so far this year, compared to 35 during the same time last year.
During that time, the number of thefts went from 373 to 467, an increase of 25.2%.
Rock talked about past robberies in Los Angeles on the podcast “Off the Record with DJ Akademiks,” which aired on September 2.
The rapper said that he was out with his girlfriend and daughter on Fairfax Avenue “mid-pandemic” when he was robbed.
“We adore sly crooks where I’m from,” Rock explained. “In L.A. they are daring.”
Rock and the host talked about how it seemed like the robberies of rappers were getting worse.
“I’ve never been robbed in my life,” Rock stated. I’m not going to say never because I dislike saying never. I’m not religious, yet I’ve never been robbed.”
“That’s why I think L.A. is eerie, man,” Akademiks explained. “It’s just so daring. I’m seeing insane footage as if they don’t do it at night. Maybe at night, but they truly do it in broad daylight.”
After his older brother was slain, Rock claimed he changed, becoming more on edge and aware of how quickly a situation may turn fatal.
“It was simply something in me that let me realize, like this s— real life,” Rock explained. “I’ve watched people die.” I’ve been around folks who died. “Anyone can die.”
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