The music world woke up to heartbreak on Saturday, March 29, 2025, as reports surfaced that Atlanta rapper Young Scooter, real name Kenneth Edward Bailey, died on his 39th birthday. Though confirmation remains elusive, social media lit up with tributes late Friday night, claiming he was shot—possibly by police—in Atlanta. The news first gained traction around 1 a.m. with posts on X (formerly Twitter) spreading rapidly.
“Young Scooter has passed away at 39 after an alleged shooting in Atlanta on his birthday. Rest in peace,” wrote user BlancoTarantino, alongside a photo of the rapper.
Another account, @raphousetv2, posted:
“Atlanta Legend Young Scooter Shot And Killed On His 39th Bday By The Police,” adding a crying emoji and a dove.
A third, xtraamediaa_, claimed “close sources” had confirmed the death, citing the Atlanta Police Department—though APD has not released an official statement as of Saturday morning.
According to Times Now, a shooting occurred late Friday night near State Farm Arena, where the NCAA tournament is currently taking place. A man was reportedly found with gunshot wounds at Luckie Street NW and Mills Street NW, blocks from the arena, and taken to a hospital in critical condition. Sources told Times Now the victim was Scooter, but police have not identified the person. HotNewHipHop and Baller Alert also covered the story, saying that hip-hop insider DJ Akademiks backed the report. Fellow rappers quickly reacted:
“I grew up on dis shit smh rip,” wrote Playboi Carti.
Ralo, Scooter’s longtime friend, posted a broken heart emoji.
Born in Walterboro, South Carolina, on March 28, 1986, Scooter moved to Kirkwood (“Lil Mexico”) in Atlanta at age 9. His upbringing was steeped in street survival—his mother dealt drugs, his father used. After a 2008 drug trafficking arrest, he turned to music, finding purpose and success. His 2012 mixtape “Street Lottery” exploded with the breakout hit “Colombia,” earning remixes from Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. He signed with Future’s Freebandz and Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records, eventually landing on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018 with “Jet Lag” alongside Future and Juice WRLD. Known for his raw, money-hungry anthems like “Doh Doh” and “Guwop,” Scooter carved out a place in Atlanta’s trap legacy. “Street Lottery” pulled in over 100,000 downloads on DatPiff, solidifying his street-hustler-to-star narrative.
Scooter’s life was no stranger to turmoil. In 2013, he was jailed for parole violations and shared a cell with Gucci Mane. He survived a police shootout that left him shot in the foot. In his song “Live or Die,” he mocked the endless rumors of his death:
“Fake rumors say I been dead fifty times.”
This time, though, fans fear the silence might be real.
So far, no police report has confirmed his death, and no family members have come forward. The only known details stem from scattered X posts and reports of a shooting near the arena. Confusion swirls—Was it police? Was it during the NCAA games? Atlanta has mourned before: the losses of Trouble in 2022 and Takeoff still sting. Scooter mourned those losses deeply—and now, fans fear it’s his turn.
His birthday should’ve been a celebration. Instead, Atlanta grieves. Scooter leaves behind children, loved ones, and a city that respected his voice.
“Rip young scooter omg,” one fan posted.
“This one hurts,” said another.