- Atlanta rapper signed to Future’s Freebandz label
- Died on his 39th birthday in a freak accident
- Migos rapper Quavo leads tributes
Rapper Young Scooter, known for his collaborations with Future and Gucci Mane, has died on his 39th birthday.
According to authorities, he passed away on 28 March 2025 following a freak accident while fleeing from police in Atlanta.
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Police responded to a call about a disturbance involving possible gunfire and a woman being forcibly taken into a residence. Scooter reportedly sustained a severe leg injury while trying to escape by jumping over fences.
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He was taken to Grady Marcus Trauma Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities clarified that his injury was not caused by officers.
His cause of death is still under investigation by the Atlanta Medical Examiner’s Office.
Who was Young Scooter?
Young Scooter, real name Kenneth Edward Bailey, was born in South Carolina, but moved to the notorious Kirkwood Community aka Lil Mexico, Atlanta with his family at the age of nine.
In the early 2010s, he rose to fame with hits like Colombia and his collaborations with artists like Future, Young Thug, and Juice WRLD. The official video for Colombia, directed by Decatur Dan, premiered on MTV, becoming an instant hit in the south, especially in Atlanta.
He was among the first artists to sign with fellow Atlanta rapper and childhood friend Future’s record label, Freebandz in 2012.
The following year, he released the Free Bricks 2 mixtape with Gucci Mane, and a separate mixtape featuring guest appearances from Gucci, Future, WG, and Lil Boosie.
In 2014, he joined forces with hip-hop heavyweights Juicy J and Young Thug for DI$Function. And in 2016, he hit the Billboard charts as a featured artist on Young Thug’s Guwop, also featuring Quavo & Offset of Migos.
Scooter was influenced by hip-hop moguls Jay-Z and 50 Cent and defined his own style as “count music”, which involves not writing down lyrics. In an interview with Complex, he said “I don’t really care what I say on a beat as long as it’s about some money. When you try to think hard and write it out, that’s when it’s gonna be f***** up.”
His dedication to the rap game produced more than a dozen projects, with standout releases such as Street Lottery (2013), Jug King (2017) and Trippple Cross (2018). Even in his later years, he maintained a strong work ethic, with his most recent release, Fast Lane Juugin (2025), arriving shortly before his passing.
Tributes to the rapper
Fans and fellow artists alike are mourning his loss, reflecting on his immense contribution to the hip-hop community.
Migos rapper Quavo led the tributes and shared two heartbroken emojis writing “ion understand” on X.
DJ Akademiks also took to X to pay respects, writing “RIP Young Scooter”.
Playboi Carti honored the late rapper on Instagram, writing, ‘I GREW UP ON DIS S*** SMH RIP.’
@crackcobain__ paid tribute, commenting on Scooter’s lasting influence on rap, saying “RIP Young Scooter… I’m sick , him and future changed the rap game forever”.
