Rapper Drakeo the Ruler has died after being stabbed backstage at the Once Upon a Time in LA festival on Saturday.  

The entertainer, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, was 28 years old. Scott Jawson, a publicist who worked with the performer, confirmed his death but offered no other details, according to CNN  

“I can confirm his passing but am in shock and unable to share any further details at this time,” Jawson said. “I’ll be releasing a statement from his family as soon as we’re able to.”  

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Police said a fight broke out around 8:30 p.m. at the festival, taking place near the Banc of California Stadium.

“During the altercation, one man was severely injured by a suspect wielding an edged weapon. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the scene. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he succumbed to his injures,” CHP said in a statement.  

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Concert promoter Live Nation and organizer Snoop Dogg ended the concert early after the stabbing. “There was an altercation in the roadway backstage. Out of respect for those involved and in coordination with local authorities, artists and organizers decided not to move forward with the remaining sets, so the festival was ended an hour early,” Live Nation said.  

According to the Associated Press, he spent time in and out of jail. He was most recently released in Nov. 2020 after being acquitted of felony murder and attempted murder charges. 

Drakeo the Ruler rose to fame from the Los Angeles rap scene in 2015 with the release of I am Mr. Mosely and a series of mixtapes. Reaction to his death quickly flooded social media with many remembering times spent with the rapper. 

It remains unclear if the suspect involved in the stabbing has been arrested or identified.  

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