Young Dolph | |
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![]() Young Dolph in 2017 | |
Born | Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. (1985-07-27)July 27, 1985 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | November 17, 2021(2021-11-17) (aged 36) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Cause of death | Homicide (gunshot wounds) |
Burial place | Calvery Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Other names |
|
Education | Hamilton High School |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2008–2021 |
Partner | Mia Jaye (2012–2021; his death) |
Children | 2 |
Relatives |
|
Musical career | |
Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Genres | |
Labels | |
Website | youngdolph |
Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. (July 27, 1985 – November 17, 2021), better known by his stage nameYoung Dolph, was an American rapper and songwriter. Thornton first garnered mainstream attention for his guest appearance onO.T. Genasis' 2015 single "Cut It", which peaked within the top 40 of theBillboard Hot 100. The following year, he released his debut studio albumKing of Memphis, which peaked at number 49 on theBillboard 200.[3][4] His fifth album,Rich Slave (2020), peaked at number four on the chart.
Thornton founded the independent label Paper Route Empire in 2010, through which he signed his cousin in-law, fellow Memphis-based rapperKey Glock. On November 17, 2021, Dolph was fatally shot inMemphis, Tennessee.
Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. was born on July 27, 1985, inChicago, Illinois.[5][6][7] When he was two years old, his family moved toMemphis, Tennessee.[7] He had two sisters and two brothers; he and Chicago rapperJuice Wrld were second cousins.[8][9] Thornton was mostly raised by his grandmother, Ida Mae; his parents experienced addictions tocrack cocaine, and as a child, he would only see them every few weeks.[10][11]
Thornton said that the community he was from inSouth Memphis, many of his peers were raised by their grandmothers due to the issues experienced by their parents.[11] He described initially recognizing his grandmother as "the meanest motherfucker in the world", explaining "I didn't get that shit at the time. ... All the shit she was telling you, you get to seeing that shit when you hit about 15", saying that when he approached that age he began utilizing her teachings throughout his life to be more independent.[11] As a teenager, Thornton attendedHamilton High School,[12] being a barber on the side from the ages of 12 to 15.[13] From the ages of 16 to 17 and onward, he turned to the streets for a means of income. He recollected about the only time his grandmother caught him, saying "Grandma [was] right there, [I'm] trying to stuff all this shit in my pants, but I got on shorts...she just start [sic] yelling and screaming. She the only person I cared about, what she say, what she think about me..."[14]
His grandmother often did not allow Thornton to have friends visit their home, but on occasion let homeless friends stay with the family.[11] On March 5, 2008, Thornton's grandmother died after a prolonged battle withlung cancer.
In 2008, due to encouragement from his friends, Young Dolph released his first mixtapePaper Route Campaign.[15] Seeing its local popularity, he decided to fully invest himself into rap. Two years later, he formally established his label Paper Route Empire in 2010, anindependent record label inspired by the likes ofMaster P andBaby, and subsequently released his first mainstream mixtapeWelcome 2 Dolph World that same year, hosted by Atlanta DJ DJ Scream with features from8Ball & MJG,2 Chainz (then known as Tity Boi), and in-house artists Tim Gates and Money Makkin Murda.[15][10] With the release of mixtapesHigh Class Street Music andHigh Class Street Music 2 in 2011, Young Dolph began to develop his own rap flow, shifting away from a style similar to Memphis rappersThree 6 Mafia and8Ball & MJG instead to a personal style described as "vociferous" with a "magnetic delivery and uniquely deep voice".[16][17] In 2012, Young Dolph released the mixtapesA Time 2 Kill andBlue Magic on April 12 and November 14, respectively. The former's title was inspired bythe movie of the same name, and the latter's title inspired by the movieAmerican Gangster. Following multiple collaborations along with a personal connection with Atlantatrap rapperGucci Mane, Young Dolph released the collaboration mixtape EastAtlantaMemphis on March 15, 2013, with features fromYoung Scooter and Big Bank Black. On May 13, 2013, he released the third installment of theHigh Class Street Music series,Trappin' Out a Mansion. On October 15, 2013, Young Dolph releasedSouth Memphis Kingpin, with the song "South Memphis" achieving high popularity. On April 15, 2014, Dolph releasedCross Country Trappin. On July 8, 2014, Young Dolph released the fourth installment of theHigh Class Street Music series,American Gangster. This mixtape included the song "Preach", which received nationwide fame, as well as features from Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz,Fiend,Trinidad James,Shy Glizzy,Trae tha Truth,Problem, and Cap 1.[18]
On February 24, 2015, Young Dolph released the fifth and final installment of theHigh Class Street Music series,The Plug Best Friend. It included features from 2 Chainz, Shy Glizzy, andPeewee Longway, as well as a remix of "Preach" featuringRick Ross andJeezy. On June 30, Dolph released a collaboration album with Gucci Mane and Peewee Longway titledFelix Brothers. On July 28, 2015, Dolph released mixtape16 Zips with features fromT.I.,Slim Thug,Paul Wall,Jadakiss, and fellow Paper Route artist Jay Fizzle. In September 2015, Young Dolph was featured on O.T. Genasis'sdouble platinum hit single "Cut It". On October 8, 2015, Young Dolph releasedShittin on the Industry, an 11-song mixtape including the hit single "Get Paid".
In February 2016, he released his debut albumKing of Memphis under his independent Paper Route Empire label, which peaked at number 49 on theBillboard 200.[16] Other Memphis rappers (includingYo Gotti and Gotti-affiliatedBlac Youngsta) took offense at the album title, with Blac Youngsta leading an armed group attempting to find Young Dolph in Memphis and releasing adiss track, "SHAKE SUM (Young Dolph Diss)" in response.[17]
In 2017, Young Dolph released a diss track against Yo Gotti titled "Play Wit Yo' Bitch", prompting Yo Gotti to release a response song. Two weeks later, in February 2017, Young Dolph released a music video for "Play Wit Yo' Bitch". The next day, his vehicle was the target of gunfire inCharlotte, North Carolina, while in town for a performance at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament.[10][17][19] His car was reportedly shot over 100 times but was outfitted with bulletproof panels, and no one was hurt.[10][19] He performed the same night.
Following the shooting, Blac Youngsta and two other men were arrested, but the charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.[20] Young Dolph used the publicity from the shooting to promote his second studio albumBulletproof.[21] In September 2017, he was shot multiple times. In February 2018, he released the extended playNiggas Get Shot Everyday, referencing this prior incident.[10]
In 2017, Young Dolph signed his cousin-by-marriage and fellow Memphis rapperKey Glock to his Paper Route Empire label, after the two had met at family gatherings.[15] In 2018, they released the single "Major", which peaked at number 47 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[22] That same year, Young Dolph said that he had been offered a $22 million label deal which he turned down. Preferring to stay on his own independent label, Young Dolph stated, "It really was a good deal, a super good deal to tell you the truth. But it's just, I see something else".[20]
Young Dolph later revealed that he signed a distribution deal withEmpire Distribution, and his September 2018 albumRole Model was released under the label Paper Route Empire, a joint venture between Paper Route Empire and Empire Distribution.[2] In July 2019, Young Dolph again collaborated withKey Glock, this time releasing his first collaborative album entitledDum and Dummer, imitating the title of theFarrelly brothers' filmDumb and Dumber.[23][15]
The album peaked at number eight on theBillboard 200, earning each of the artists their first top 10 album.[24] The album was produced by BandPlay, who used a variety of styles of beats in the album's tracks.[25] Reviewers for the album noted Young Dolph's greater "songwriting range", with "depths of self-loathing and despair" that were complemented by the younger Key Glock's "celebrations of himself".[25]
Rumors emerged in early 2020 that Young Dolph was considering his retirement from music in order to spend more time with his children, and was seen more frequently in Memphis.[26][27] On his Instagram, Young Dolph wrote, "Highly considering quitting the music business because I really wanna be with my kids 24/7".[26] During theCOVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Young Dolph released the single "Sunshine" and released edited album covers of previous releases on streaming services to feature individuals wearingsurgical masks to highlight and address the global situation.[27]
In an interview withGQ in May 2020, he was asked about his recent release of music, with Young Dolph replying "Man, my little boy wanted to hear some new music. ... I'll keep it real: I ain't really been on my rapper shit, I been on my industry shit, the big bro shit. I got a lot of artists, and I been dropping all my artists' projects, and they going up. ... So I'm like, 'Yeah, I gotta go ahead and give it to them.' I gotta drop it."[27]
Young Dolph's seventh album,Rich Slave, was released on August 14, 2020. It was preceded by the singles "Blue Diamonds", "RNB" featuringMegan Thee Stallion and "Death Row". Young Dolph explained the album's title, stating "It's the reality of being Black in this country".[28]Rich Slave was Young Dolph's highest-charting album, peaking at 4th on theBillboard 200.[20]
On March 5, 2021, Young Dolph and Key Glock released the single "Aspen", and subsequently their second collaborative album,Dum and Dummer 2, was released on March 26, 2021. It is a sequel to 2019'sDum and Dummer, and combined solo songs with tracks featuring both artists.[23] The project's cartoon artwork referencesBeavis and Butt-Head.[29] The album was released by Young Dolph's independent Paper Route Empire label.[23] In a review onPitchfork, Nadine Smith gave the album a 7.5/10 rating, stating that "Dolph & Glock fashion themselves in the image of pop culture dunces even if at the same time they're poised, extravagant, and immaculate—there's a casualness to their rapport and respective flows that never announces itself too much."[23]
A posthumous tribute album titledLong Live Young Dolph was announced on January 10, 2022,[30] and was officially released on January 21, 2022, through Paper Route Empire. It was preceded by the release of the single "LLD (Long Live Dolph)". The compilation album contains guest appearances from PRE associates:Key Glock, Big Moochie Grape, Kenny Muney, Jay Fizzle, Joddy Badass, Snupe Bandz, Paper Route Woo and Chitana.[31]
A posthumous album from Dolph, titledPaper Route Frank, was released on December 16, 2022.[32]
Thornton had two children with his partner, Mia Jaye. He said that he was somewhat strict with his parenting due to his upbringing with his grandmother.[11][33] Thornton often collaborated with his cousin and fellow rapperKey Glock and was a distant relative of rapperJuice Wrld, learning of the familial relation with the latter in 2017.[34][35]
Thornton was shot outside a retail store inHollywood, Los Angeles, on September 26, 2017.[36] He was listed in critical condition at the hospital, but within a few hours doctors reported he was expected to survive.[37] He spent two weeks in the hospital recovering from three gunshot wounds.[38] Yo Gotti was initially named aperson of interest moments after the shooting but was later cleared.[39] Yo Gotti's friend, Corey McClendon, was arrested for attempted murder, only to be released the next day with no charges.[40]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Thornton began to stay with his family in Memphis more frequently and did so amid rumors of retirement.[27] He was known in the area for hisphilanthropy, donating $25,000 to hisalma mater, Hamilton High School, and providing motivational speeches to students.[12][41] Known for handing out Thanksgiving dinners, Thornton gave away two hundred turkeys to individuals at the West Cancer Center days before his death and was scheduled to donate additional meals days later.[12][42]
Murder of Young Dolph | |
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Location | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Date | November 17, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-11-17) 12:22 p.m. (CST) |
Attack type | Homicide byshooting |
Victim | Adolph Robert Thornton Jr.,a.k.a. Young Dolph |
Motive | Under investigation |
Accused |
|
Convicted | Jemarcus Johnson[43] Justin Johnson |
Verdict | Jemarcus Johnson: Pleaded guilty Justin Johnson: Guilty on all counts |
Convictions | Jemarcus Johnson: After-the-fact accessory (3 counts)[a] Justin Johnson:
|
Charges | Smith and Govan:
Smith:
Govan: Barnett:
|
Sentence | Justin Johnson: Life imprisonment with the possibility ofparole after63+1⁄4 years[44] |
On November 17, 2021, Thornton was fatally shot in Memphis while visiting Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies, a bakery he frequently visited whenever he was back home. After insisting on not having his bodyguards present (Exclusive Security Group), two gunmen in a white two-door Mercedes-Benz gunned him down.[45][12][46] Anautopsy revealed that Thornton had 22 gunshot wounds from bullet entries and exits. Some wounds were sustained in the forehead and back.[47] Crowds of hundreds of people swarmed the scene of Thornton's death for hours; police had to prevent individuals from entering the area while they investigated.[12]Tennessee House RepresentativeLondon Lamar and Memphis councilman J. B. Smiley reacted by calling for acurfew in Memphis to preventcivil unrest and violence.[42]
Thornton was buried on November 30, 2021. A service was held at First Baptist Church on Broad Street. The family's caravan of black SUVs was escorted by security andMemphis Police to the Calvery Cemetery, across from Hamilton High School, Young Dolph's alma mater.[citation needed]
On January 5, 2022, police identified one of the suspects responsible for the murder as 23-year-old Justin Johnson, and issued a first-degree murder warrant.[48] A reward of up to $15,000 for information on the suspect was offered by the Tennessee authorities.[49] Johnson had an established history of criminal charges and violence, as well as "ties to organized criminal gangs", and was a rapper under the name Straight Drop.[50]
Another suspect, 32-year-old Cornelius Smith (who was arrested for the theft of the car used in Dolph's murder[51]), was indicted on first-degree murder, weapons possession, and theft charges on January 11.[52] The same day, Johnson was captured by police in Indiana[53] after law enforcement received over 500 tips leading to his arrest.[54] A passenger, 27-year-old Shundale Barnett, of the vehicle Johnson was driving was also arrested.[55] On January 12, Johnson and Smith were indicted on first-degree murder and other criminal charges,[56][57] while Barnett was charged with being an "after-the-factaccessory".[58]
After Johnson and Smith struggled to find legal representation, they were given anultimatum by Judge Lee Coffee: "If you have a lawyer hired, that's fine, but as I told you 10 days ago, I cannot allow you to sit in jail week after week, month after month, without a lawyer. ... If you don't have a lawyer hired on [February 4], I'm going to hire a private attorney to represent both of you all."[57] On February 7, Johnson appeared in court again for "violating a sex offender registration charge" after reportedly being convicted of aggravated rape in 2015. He also claimed he was unable to afford to hire an attorney.[59][60] On February 11, both Johnson and Smith pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.[61]On November 10, 2022, a third suspect was indicted for the murder of Young Dolph and the conspiracy to murder Thornton, 43-year-old Hernandez Govan, who is alleged to have ordered the murder of Young Dolph.[62][63][64]
In June 2023, Jemarcus Johnson reached aplea deal where hepleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after-the-fact in exchange for his conspiracy to murder charge dropped. He is expected totestify against the other suspects at their upcoming trials.[43]
As of June 2024, the trial for Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith was scheduled for September 2024.[65] Jemarcus Johnson was set to be sentenced for accessory to murder after testifying against Johnson and Smith at their trials. On September 23, Smith acknowledged during court testimony that he and Johnson were the ones who shot Thornton and did so after being promised a $40,000 payout each.[66][67] On September 26, 2024, Justin Johnson was found guilty on all counts and was sentenced to life in prison for the murder charge.[68][69] Despite admitting in testimony that he killed Thornton, Smith still faces trial.[70] On October 9, 2024, Govan's trial date was set for March 10, 2025, but was pushed back to July 28 after scheduling conflicts.[71]
The city ofMemphis approved street-renaming for a street in the honor of Thornton. The street was changed to Adolph "Young Dolph" Thornton Jr. Avenue, which is located on the intersection of Dunn Avenue and Airways Boulevard, just east of Castalia Heights (where Dolph was raised) and not far from where Dolph was killed.[72]
In February 2022, two Tennesseelawmakers (Representative Torrey C. Harris andformer Senator Katrina Robinson) proposed a bill which would make November 17 – the day on which Dolph was killed – the "Adolph Thornton Day of Service". The bill listed several of Dolph's acts of philanthropy and described him as "an exemplary gentleman and consummate professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities". It also stated the holiday's goal is to "celebrate the memory, music, and community service contributions of [Dolph] and to encourage Tennesseans to help others."[73][74]
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [75] | US R&B/HH [76] | US Rap [77] | US Ind. [78] | CAN [79] | |||||||||||
King of Memphis |
| 49 | 9 | 5 | 5 | — | |||||||||
Bulletproof[80] |
| 36 | 19 | 14 | 7 | — | |||||||||
Thinking Out Loud[81] |
| 16 | 9 | 8 | 2 | — | |||||||||
Role Model |
| 15 | 11 | 9 | 6 | — | |||||||||
Dum and Dummer(withKey Glock) |
| 8 [24] | 5 | 4 | 16 | 83 |
| ||||||||
Rich Slave |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 84 | |||||||||
Dum and Dummer 2(with Key Glock)[29] |
| 8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | |||||||||
Paper Route Frank[32] |
| 25 | 9 | 4 | 3 | — | |||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [75] | US R&B/HH [76] | US Rap [77] | US Ind. [78] | ||
Paper Route Illuminati (with Paper Route Empire) |
| 22 [84] | 13 | 10 | 1 |
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [75] | US R&B/HH [76] | US Rap [77] | US Ind. [78] | |||||||||||
Paper Route Campaign[85] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Welcome 2 Dolph World[87] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
High Class Street Music[88] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
High Class Street Music 2: Hustler's Paradise[89] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
A Time 2 Kill[90] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Blue Magic[91] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
East Atlanta Memphis[92] (withGucci Mane) |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
High Class Street Music 3: Trappin' Out a Mansion[93] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
South Memphis Kingpin[94] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Cross Country Trappin[95] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
High Class Street Music 4: American Gangster[96] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
High Class Street Music 5: The Plug Best Friend[97] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Felix Brothers[98] (with Gucci Mane andPeewee Longway) |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
BagMen[99] (with Peewee Longway) |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
16 Zips[100] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Shittin' On The Industry[101] |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Bosses & Shooters[102] (with Jay Fizzle & Bino Brown) |
| — | — | — | — | |||||||||
Rich Crack Baby[103] |
| 132 | 14 | 13 | 15 | |||||||||
Gelato[104] |
| 54 | 22 | 13 | — | |||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US [75] | US R&B/HH [76] | US Rap [77] | ||
Bossed Up |
| — | — | — |
Tracking Numbers(withBerner)[105] |
| — | — | — |
Niggas Get Shot Everyday[106] |
| 59 | 29 | 24 |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Bub. [107] | US R&B/HH [22] | US Main. R&B/HH [108] | ||||
"Get Paid" | 2016 | — | — | — | King of Memphis | |
"Play Wit Yo Bitch"[109] | 2017 | — | — | — | Gelato | |
"100 Shots" | 10 | 49 | — | Bulletproof | ||
"Bagg" (featuringLil Yachty) | — | — | — | Gelato | ||
"While U Here" | — | — | — | Thinking Out Loud | ||
"Believe Me" | — | — | — | |||
"Drippy" | — | — | — | |||
"Major" (featuringKey Glock)[110] | 2018 | 1 | 47 | 18 |
| Role Model |
"Sunshine" | 2020 | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
"RNB"[111] (featuringMegan Thee Stallion) | 1 | 46 | 5 |
| Rich Slave | |
"Blue Diamond"[28] | — | — | — | |||
"Death Row"[28] | — | — | — | |||
"Aspen" (with Key Glock) | 2021 | — | — | 29 | Dum and Dummer 2 | |
"Hall of Fame" | 2022 | 17 | — | 37 | Paper Route Frank | |
"Get Away" | 4 | 40 | — | |||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [112] | US R&B/HH [22] | US Rap [113] | US Main. R&B/HH [108] | ||||
"California"[114] (Colonel Loud featuringT.I.,Ricco Barrino and Young Dolph) | 2015 | —[A] | 32 | 21 | 8 | California EP | |
"Cut It" (O.T. Genasis featuring Young Dolph) | 35 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| Rhythm & Bricks | |
"Bling Blaww Burr" (Gucci Mane featuring Young Dolph) | 2016 | — | —[B] | — | — | Woptober | |
"Downfall" (Lil Durk featuring Young Dolph) | 2018 | — | — | — | — | Signed to the Streets 3 | |
"Drip Like Dis" (Bankroll Freddie featuringLil Baby and Young Dolph) | 2019 | — | — | — | 23 | From Trap to Rap | |
"Blood All on It" (Gucci Mane featuringKey Glock and Young Dolph) | 2022 | 98 | 32 | — | — | So Icy Gang: The ReUp | |
"Really" (Lucry & Suena featuringBonez MC and Young Dolph | 2024 | – | – | – | – | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [112] | US R&B/HH [22] | US Main. R&B/HH [108] | ||||
"Preach" | 2014 | — | — | 24 | Cross Country Trappin andHigh Class Street Music 4 | |
"Pulled Up" (featuring2 Chainz andJuicy J) | 2015 | — | — | 39 | High Class Street Music 5 | |
"Facts" | 2016 | — | — | — |
| King of Memphis |
"Get Paid" | — | — | 35 | |||
"Royalty" | — | — | 33 | |||
"Foreva" (featuringT.I.) | — | — | — |
| Rich Crack Baby | |
"Stunting Ain't Nuthin" (Gucci Mane featuringSlim Jxmmi and Young Dolph) | 2017 | 95 | 39 | — | Mr. Davis | |
"Go Get Sum Mo" (featuring Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz andTy Dolla Sign) | — | —[C] | 29 | Thinking Out Loud | ||
"By Mistake" | 2018 | — | — | 36 |
| Role Model |
"1 Hell of a Life" (withKey Glock) | 2019 | — | — | — |
| Dum and Dummer |
"Water on Water on Water" (with Key Glock) | — | — | 35 |
| ||
"Monster" (with Key Glock) | — | — | — |
| ||
"Hold Up Hold Up Hold Up" | 2020 | —[D] | — | — |
| Rich Slave |
"To Be Honest" | — | — | — |
| ||
"No Sense" (featuring Key Glock) | — | — | — |
| ||
"1 Scale" (featuringG Herbo) | —[E] | 45 | — |
| ||
"Penguins" (with Key Glock) | 2021 | —[F] | — | — | Dum and Dummer 2 | |
"Love for the Streets" | 2022 | —[G] | — | — | Paper Route Frank |
Notes