Drake is mourning the loss Canadian rapper Smoke Dawg, who was reportedly shot and killed in Toronto on Saturday night (June 30).
The Scorpion rapper posted a heartfelt message on Instagram Stories along with a photo them performing together on stage. “All these gifts and blessed souls and inner lights being extinguished lately is devastating,” wrote Drake. “I wish peace would wash over our city. So much talent and so many stories we never get to see play out. Rest up Smoke.”
Smoke Dawg, who was a member the Halal Gang, supported Drake on his “Boy Meets World” European tour in 2017. He had success with his hit song “Still” three years ago, and collaborated with the likes French Montana and Skepta.
The 21-year-old MC died in a shooting outside Cube Nightclub in Toronto on Saturday evening. According to police, three victims suffered serious injuries during the incident. One the male victims later succumbed to his injuries and died in the hospital, the Toronto Police Operations Center announced on Twitter. Two suspects may have fled in a black SUV or a white car.
Canadian spoken word artist Mustafa the Poet confirmed the tragic news, tweeting, “Smokey is gone, may our prayers follow him to heaven.”