Prosecutors Claim Young Dolph Was Killed in Alleged Hit by Yo Gotti’s Brother

In a Tennessee courtroom, shocking revelations emerged regarding the 2021 murder of rapper Young Dolph. Cornelius Smith, one of the defendants charged with involvement in the case, testified about his role in what prosecutors described as an orchestrated hit on the artist.

On the witness stand, Smith disclosed that he participated in the attack after being promised a payout. He stated that he and Justin Johnson, another suspect whose trial began recently, were to receive $40,000 each, while the alleged mastermind, Hernandez Govan, would receive $20,000 for arranging the hit.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolf Thorton Jr., was tragically killed on November 17, 2021. The rapper gained recognition for his contributions to the music industry, including his featured verse on O.T. Genasis’ song “Cut It,” as well as popular tracks like “Get Paid,” “100 Shots,” and “RNB,” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.

Smith described the sequence of events leading to the rapper’s death. Initially, he and Johnson had planned to shoot Young Dolph during a Thanksgiving turkey drive but switched their focus upon spotting a camouflage-wrapped Corvette, which was the rapper’s vehicle of choice.

The pair began following Dolp’s car, ultimately pulling into a parking lot at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, where the shooting occurred. Smith, who was the first to exit the car, recounted how many times he fired at Young Dolph, indicating he could not remember the exact count.

Following the shooting, Smith sustained injuries from return gunfire by Young Dolph’s brother, Marcus Thornton, who was also at the cookie shop. Smith detailed that he required assistance to clean his wounds after the altercation, while Johnson also suffered a minor gun-related injury.

After the assassination, Smith mentioned that they abandoned their getaway vehicle in a driveway and drove to an apartment where they changed clothes and tended to their injuries. He eventually admitted that he was only paid $800 in total before his arrest, despite the promised payment for the hit.

In a separate trial related to these events, prosecutors laid out claims that Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, brother of Memphis rapper Yo Gotti, was instrumental in arranging the hit with a $100,000 bounty on Young Dolph. This information was presented by Shelby County Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, who elaborated on the connections between Big Jook, Johnson, and the events leading to the murder.

According to prosecutors, Big Jook encouraged Johnson to view the murder as essential for his prospects in obtaining a record deal with CMG, a rival label to Dolph’s Paper Route Empire. This relationship outlined the deep-rooted conflicts in the Memphis hip-hop scene.

Throughout the courtroom proceedings, Johnson’s attorney refuted the accusations, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to implicate his client in the murder. While prosecutors showcased surveillance footage linking Johnson to the crime, Johnson’s defense emphasized that clothing alone was not definitive proof of his involvement.

Further complicating the narrative surrounding Young Dolph’s death is the long-standing feud between him and Yo Gotti, which dates back over a decade. Tensions escalated as both artists exchanged diss tracks, with Young Dolph asserting his independence from Gotti’s label. Various violent attempts on Dolph’s life have occurred over the years, illustrating the perilous nature of the rivalry.

Young Dolph faced multiple assassination attempts, including a significant incident in 2017 where assailants fired over 100 rounds into his bulletproof vehicle during a concert tour, yet he emerged unharmed. Sadly, on November 17, 2021, he was shot and killed, suffering over twenty gunshot wounds at the cookie shop.

The aftermath of these events has continued to unfold, with the murder of Big Jook earlier this year raising further questions about the connections within the hip-hop community. The investigation into his death has been ongoing, with no suspects publicly identified.

This case shines a light on the volatile and dangerous dynamics of rivalries in the music industry, particularly within the hip-hop community. As the trials continue, more details surrounding Young Dolph’s murder and the broader conflicts in Memphis are expected to emerge.

Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal