Philly Rapper LGP Qua Dead At 30 Following Fatal Mother's Day Shooting
Philadelphia rapper LGP Qua was murdered on Sunday (May 11) after being gunned down on Mother's Day in what has been described as a botched armed robbery.
According to reports, Qua, born Qidere Johnson, was shot in the chest shortly before 4:40 p.m. while in Philly's Juniata Park neighborhood. Johnson was transported via private vehicle to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Johnson was 30 years old at the time of his death. No suspects have been arrested in connection to Johnson's murder at this time. A $20,000 reward is being offered by Philadelphia police for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
After news of Johnson's death spread, a social media account created by his family made a post confirming the rapper's death while paying tribute to his life and legacy, both as a rapper and a beacon of positivity in Philly's Hip-Hop community.
'Rest In Peace to Qidere 'LGP Qua' Johnson. A kid with a dream that turned to a man with a vision,' the post, which included a photo of Johnson along with clips of him rapping, read.
'He had dreams of bettering his community using rap to influence the mind sets of the youth. So young, so much talent. Qidere was known to his friends and family as someone who would ride til the wheels would fall off.'
The post also acknowledged Johnson not allowing his own 'struggles' as an inner-city youth to negatively impact his outlook on life or the message he wanted to spread in his hometown and beyond.
'Qidere deserved to grow old,' the post continued. 'In neighborhoods and systems that deemed us less Qidere wanted the youth in Philadelphia to know it was more for them to achieve. Qidere felt like if he could beat the odds any of these kids could.'
There has been speculation online that Johnson was targeted for his expensive jewelry, which he could often be seen wearing in photos and video clips in recent years. However, no possible motives have been officially released or confirmed by police
According to CBS, Qua began rapping after serving an 18-month stint in prison, purportedly on a weapons charge, first making waves in 2017 after his song voicing support for Meek Mill amid the Philly rap star's legal troubles went viral.
This buzz would lead to a collaboration with Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am. titled 'Insomniac' the following year.
LGP Qua's last officially released single, 'Earned' featuring DJ Drama and Tory Lanez, was released in 2023 through French Montana's Coke Boys Records.
Hip-Hop stars such as Meek Mill, Swizz Beatz, Kid Capri, and Dee-1 have paid tribute to Johnson online amid news of his death.
See the tribute post to LGP Quan below.
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