Rapper Shawty Lo, whose real name was Carlos Walker and who was a co-founder of the hip hop group D4L, has been killed in an accident just outside Atlanta, officials say. He was 40 years old.
The accident happened at 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday when a car that Walker was traveling in left Interstate 285 in Fulton County, after which it rolled over, struck trees and burst into flames. Walker was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
Two other people who were also in the vehicle were injured in the crash, but there was no immediate word on their conditions. Fulton County Police initially reported that the crash was the result of a hit-and-run, but they later clarified that only one vehicle was involved.
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An investigation into Wednesday’s accident is underway.
Walker’s death was confirmed by both his manager Johnny Cabell as well as a post on Walker’s official Twitter account. “My brother has passed he is no longer here but his spirit, his kind heart, and his music will live on,” the post said. “Long live Shawty Lo King of Bankhead.”
In a statement, manager Johnny Cabell said: “I am so so so devastated that words can not describe how I feel right now. Shawty Lo was not just my artist, he was my Brother. He was My Friend. I have been Lo MGR for over 10yrs. He was Loyal and he had my back when no one else did.”
Cabell added: “I could count on him when I had no one else to turn to. We been thru so much together. If you knew Lo then you know he was genuine. He was Real he would do anything he could if he had it. I Genuinely love this man like my blood brother. I will keep his name alive and his music!”
