Smoke Dawg via Instagram Up-and-coming rapper Smoke Dawg died on Saturday after being shot in Toronto. News of the 21-year-old artist’s passing brought an outpouring of high-profile responses on social media — but, still, he wasn’t necessarily a household name. By now we all know the rapper — real name Jahvante Smart — had connections to superstar Drake, as evidenced by the moving post the latter shared on his Instagram Stories Sunday. Drake via his IG story. RIP Smoke Dawg 💔 pic.twitter.com/xRnKVZzncX — Drake Direct (@DrakeDirect_) July 1, 2018 But where did it all begin, and where was Smoke headed to on his curtailed climb to international fame? As it turns out, the rapper had a vibrant presence in his hometown of Toronto, where he was born and grew up in a large family. Developing an interest in music and his city’s music scene at an early age, he found another family in the form of local collective Halal Gang — a group of black Muslim artists (Smoke, Puffy L’z, Safe, and Mo-G) who quickly made waves in the area with their innovative hip-hop. The group insisted they weren’t a literal “gang” and despite being local to a notoriously violent area, weren’t about violence. In a 2017 interview with Fader, member Puffy L’z said the bonds went way deeper than that: “These are my brothers.” Regardless of the personal depth of their relationship, the quartet attracted a tremendous amount of attention in the Toronto music scene — including that of its most successful product, Drake. The superstar was an early fan, posting a snippet of their song “Still” in 2015, in which Mo-G introduced the signature left-handed “Ginobili dance.” (Incidentally, this would lead to Mo-G dropping disgruntled criticism such as “culture vulture” Drake’s way, as well as accusing him of jacking certain ideas without giving proper compensation.) Story continues Despite his bandmate’s ire, Smoke appeared to have nothing but a positive connection with Drake. Both he and Puffy L’z opened for the European leg of Drake’s Boy Meets World Tour early last year. In addition to his work with Drake, Smoke was known outside the Toronto scene for collaborations with well-known names such as French Montana and grime icon Skepta — the latter of whom welcomed Drake on stage in London during a 2017 set with Smoke. Smoke’s solo efforts were moving briskly along directly before his passing: the single “Fountain Freestyle” was released earlier this week, while more music was being hinted at for later in the summer, and a full album, Struggle Before Glory, was set to drop later this year. Still, it’s hard to deny that Smoke’s local Toronto fame composed the centerpiece of his legacy — a fact that, as his bandmate explained, restricted their collective’s growth but gave their music an indescribably unique tone. “We’re popular, but personally I don’t think we’re where we should be. We deserve more than what we have,” Puffy L’z observed to Fader. “If Halal Gang was from New York or Atlanta or L.A., best believe, we would’ve blown up. “Toronto is just a hateful city,” he added, not knowing at the time it would also be the city that would take his “brother” away. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:<doc-sep>Up and coming rapper Smoke Dawg has died after he was shot in Toronto over the weekend. The 21-year-old, whose real name was Jahvante Smart, was taken to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries Saturday, according to the Toronto Police Service. Two others, a man and a woman, also sustained apparent gunshot wounds at the scene, police said. The man, a producer known as Koba Prime — aka Ernest Modekwe, 28 — was also killed. The woman is expected to survive. Drake posted a tribute to Smoke Dawg, who was a part of the rapper's 2017 Boy Meets World tour, on his Instagram Stories. "All these gifts and blessed souls and inner lights being extinguished lately is devastating," Drake wrote. "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 is the third young rapper to be fatally shot in June. XXXTentacion was killed in South Florida on June 18, while Jimmy Wopo was gunned down that same day in Pittsburgh. Toronto police are asking anyone with any information about Saturday's shooting to come forward. RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>Smoke Dawg has passed away at the age of 21. The Toronto rapper, born Jahvante Smart, was shot and killed Saturday June 30 in his native Toronto outside Cube Nightclub. According to local news outlet CP24, the shooting took place in broad daylight, with two other victims sustaining injuries. No suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Drake, who brought Smoke Dawg on the European leg of his 2017 'Boy Meets World' tour, paid tribute to the late rapper in his Instagram stories, writing, "I wish peace would wash over our city." A statement from Smoke Dawg's representatives reads, "Jahvante touched the lives of many fans not only in Toronto but around the world. Music was able to let him travel the world and chase his dream of becoming a superstar." "As a young man from Regent Park, he overcame poverty and grew into a responsible, caring grown man who took care of his friends and family. He helped people wherever he could and will be remembered for his huge smile and glowing personality," the statement continues. Smoke Dawg's representatives also add that a candlelight vigil will be held Monday, July 2nd at 8:30 p.m. in Toronto at the Metropolitan Church park at Queen Street East and Church street. Everyone is welcome and attendees are encouraged to bring flowers, candles, and posters. Revisit Smoke Dawg's "Count it Up" below. In other music news, watch Juice WRLD freestyle for over an hour right here.<doc-sep>Rapper Smoke Dawg, who once collaborated with Drake, has been killed in a shooting in downtown Toronto. Canadian police said the 21-year-old, whose real name is Jahvante Smart, was killed along with Ernest Modekwe, 28, at about 8pm on Saturday. Drake posted an Instagram story on Sunday showing them performing together. The star wrote that such a death "is devastating" and added "so much talent and so many stories we never get to see play out". Canadian producer Murda On The Beat also paid tribute: "RIP My Brothers Smoke Dawg & Koba.. Love You Guys 4 Life.. Rest Easy," he said. Advertisement RIP My Brothers Smoke Dawg & Koba.. Love You Guys 4 Life.. Rest Easy 💔💔💔💔💔 — MURDA ON THE BEAT (@murdabeatz_) July 1, 2018 RIP SMOKE DAWG!!! — Chip (@OfficialChip) July 1, 2018 British rapper Chipmunk wrote: "RIP SMOKE DAWG!!!" Smoke Dawg was associated with the Toronto music group known as Full Circle which consists of Prime Boys and Halal Gang. The rapper had also worked with the British grime artist Skepta on the song Overseas. A woman who was wounded in the shooting is expected to recover from her injuries. No arrests have been made.<doc-sep>
Toronto rapper Smoke Dawg was shot dead on Saturday in his home city, according to local outlets. Mayor John Tory said the shooting was as a result of gang-related violence. Smoke Dawg is best known for his popular remix of “Trap House,” featuring American hip-hop artist French Montana. He was a member of the music collective Halal Gang, which includes rappers Safe, Puffy L’z and Mo-G. Smoke Dawg toured with Drake on the ‘Boy Meets World’ tour in February and March 2017 alongside the other members of Halal Gang. Fellow Toronto native Drake shared a photo of himself and Smoke Dawg along with a caption on his Instagram story. It reads: “All these gifts and blessed souls and inner lights being extinguished lately is devastating. 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.” His death comes shortly after the June 18 shooting death of Florida rapper XXXTentacion, who was killed during an armed robbery in Florida. A memorial was held at the BB&T Stadium in Sunrise, Fla. last week. Two other victims were involved in the shooting, including a woman who sustained non-life threatening injuries and another man who was killed. Both Smoke Dawg and the second man were transported to a trauma center where they died of their injuries. The Toronto police have not released information regarding suspects, except that they may have been driving a black SUV or a white car.