D4L rapper Shawty Lo was killed in a car accident early Wednesday morning in Atlanta. The news was first reported by rapper and radio personality Headkrack, and later confirmed by his manager Johnny Cabbell and by a post on his Twitter. Lo was 40 years old, and a father to eleven children. The accident was originally reported by police as a hit-and-run, but was later revealed to only involve one vehicle. Lo's white Audi went over the guardrail, hit trees, and caught fire. According to police, two other passengers in the car were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Lo had been at the Blue Flame Lounge in Atlanta just hours beforehand.
A video from 11Alive Atlanta showed the car involved in the hit-and-run.
Shawty Lo rose to fame as part of the rap group D4L. The group is best known for its hit "Laffy Taffy," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006, going triple platinum and becoming a major driving force behind the popularity of snap music.
Post-"Laffy Taffy," Lo also enjoyed a solo career, most notably with his 2008 album Units in the City. The album's lead single "Dey Know" hit No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was eventually certified gold. He later inked a deal for his D4L Records with 50 Cent's G-Unit South.
Many fans took to Twitter to express their sadness at Shawty Lo's passing.
Tonight come show respect to the King of Bankhead pic.twitter.com/52f9YAXiLq
Rest in peace, Shawty Lo. You can pay tribute to the King of Bankhead by attending a candlelight vigil in his honor Wednesday night in Atlanta, Ga at 2587 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.
