Remembering Young Dolph

11.18.21

RIP Young Dolph

It is an extremely sad and emotional day for hip-hop, after yesterday’s tragic loss of Young Dolph. The thirty-six-year-old hip-hop artist repped Memphis to the fullest, and was well-known for giving back to his community, and teaching the youth how to be your own, successful boss. Dolph created Paper Route Empire and has a great team behind him, while owning all his own masters. A difficult life he surely lived, but gave people a lot to look up to.

Young Dolph has been putting out music for over a decade. 2008 was his first mixtape, 2010 the label was formed. Dolph had been offered multiple major label deals overtime, but he continued to decline, because it was important to him to remain independent. This did draw a line in the sand between him and the other Memphis rappers, however, Dolph stayed true to what he believed in, and used this as one of his tools to teach children about being their own boss, and owning your own work.

Dolph was also known for have insane wrapped Lamborghinis. A few years back, he gifted one to a fan. During multiple interviews, he explained that he did this because he wanted to put someone else in a position to succeed. He knew they’d sell the car, but then be set for life, financially. Giving back was always important to Dolph, to the point where he even signed his own family.

Key Glock is actually Dolph’s cousin by marriage. After meeting at a few family gatherings, Dolph signed Glock to Paper Route, and the two have been an unstoppable duo since. They have had multiple joint albums, dozens of singles, and Key Glock just released his album Yellow Tape 2 two weeks ago. This was certainly a massive tragedy for Key Glock, to loose Young Dolph. He has since deactivated all social media platforms.

Young Dolph is also cousins to the late Juice WRLD, whom he mourned publicly during the tragic loss almost two years ago. He was a family man indeed, leaving behind his long time partner, two children, and his mother. Dolph was mainly raise by his grandmother, but would still do whatever he could to ensure his mother was doing the best, that she could. The current word is Dolph was buying cookies for his mother at their favorite local spot, when someone came in to take his life.

This is not the first time that Dolph has been a target. But his constant grind for success and giving back to his family and community, make it hard to believe, or understand. Every year, Young Dolph does a Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway, to those in his area whom are in need. This year’s giveaway, was schedule for just hours after Young Dolph had lost his life. Hip-hop has mourned the lost of their good friend, and many speak on the fact that no matter how successful you get, and how much good you do, there may always been hometown haters, jealous of the success and influence you have grown to have.

Dolph’s discography dates back to 2008. He has had four certified gold singles since 2017, and a double platinum record for his feature in OT Genasis Cut It from 2015. All seven of Dolph’s studio albums have reached chart status. Dum and Dummer and Dum and Dummer 2 each peaked at the 8 spot, while Rich Slave in 2020 made it to the 4 spot.

From a personal perspective, this one hit hard for me. I have a lot of favorite artists conversations, and that can change at any given moment. But, over the past few weeks, I had a discussion. Top 3, right now, most enjoyable and most listen to. My response was quick: Griselda, G Herbo, Young Dolph. I would through Key Glock and Young Dolph together there, a bit of cheating, but it is so true. Westside Gunn from Griselda, and G Herbo both publicly mourned the loss of Dolph, and how much he meant to each of them. It is overall, super sad for everyone.

While it feels like there is nothing that we can do at this moment. We can continue to support his family, by streaming his music. By owning his own masters, royalties will all have to go to them.