News of Shawty Lo‘s death on Wednesday (Sept. 21) was a hard blow to the music industry and the rapper’s closest friends. Born Carlos Walker, the father of 11 was the founding member of D4L, whose mid-2000’s hit “Laffy Taffy” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Speaking with Complex, fellow D4L member Fabo spoke on his legacy in Atlanta and their close friendship.
“I never expected anything like this to happen,” he said. “I don’t have a big brother, my big brother, my hero. We lost a real soldier today.” Walker died after his white Audi went crashed over a guardrail on the I-285 highway in Atlanta. Two other victims were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Fabo met Walker in grade school and continued their friendship when Lo founded their group. Fabo also praised the rapper’s gift of being a natural community leader.
“Shawty Lo put all the neighborhood together, and he got them out there playing basketball against each other,” he continued. “That was just crazy, how he could bring a lot of people together. He was a real one–genuine, genuine all the way to his core. That’s just basically it man, that’s all anybody can say about him. He was just genuine.” Fabo also touched on a possible memorial in the city to honor the rapper.
T.I. mourned Lo’s death on Instagram, calling him a true Atlanta legend. “RIP to a true Westside Atlanta Legend!!!!!,” he captioned a throwback photo of the two. “You truly represented Bankhead to the fullest!!! My Heart goes out to his family, and his children as well. Even through our toughest times, I must admit I was impressed & kinda proud of how well you [repped] our hood and how much you cared for it. It was a real relief to have someone else helping to lift Bankhead up & hold it there. Can’t say enough about how much you meant to the city.”
Shawty Lo was 40-years-old. The official cause of death is reportedly pending.
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