PnB Rock Tragedy Shakes the Industry
The devastating news of PnB Rock’s death broke the internet on Monday. According to authorities, the Philly-born rapper was shot several times while at lunch with his girlfriend, Stephanie Sibounheuang, in Los Angeles. Rap listeners across the country are utterly distraught because he was only 30 years old and a father of two children, ages 8 and 2. He shared his youngest with Sibounheuang. Condolences have been flooding in, even from Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta. Rep. Kenyatta posted his consolations on Twitter Monday night. “The senseless murder of PnB Rock is a huge loss for Philadelphia. He never forgot where he came from and inspired many other local artists to create. Heartbreaking,” wrote Kenyatta. PnB Rock’s real name was Rakim Hasheem Allen. His stage name emanated from the cross streets of “Baynton” and “Pastorius” in his hometown Philadelphia.
Rock’s start in the industry was unconventional as he has previously explained how his time in prison was the most pivotal for his creativity and career. He would write music and make beats all the time in his cell and eventually found his vibe, which was a mix of R & B and modern-day pop. Everything changed for the rapper in 2015 when he signed with Atlantic Records. Through Atlantic Records, he released the mixtape “RnB3,” which featured the song “Jealous” with popular artist Fetty Wap.
In 2016, Rock released his hit song “Selfish,” which made it on the Billboard Hot 100 list. The sensational song spent 19 weeks on the chart. “Selfish” was not the only song the rapper released that made it on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2019, “Middle Child” reached 91 on the Hot 100. He was also featured in many other songs that made lists like Ed Sheeran’s “Cross Me,” Meek Mill’s “Dangerous,” A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s “Beast Mode,” and plenty more. In 2017, the artist was skyrocketing. He had a couple of songs featured on the album of F. Gary Gray’s “Fate of the Furious”—those being “Gang Up” and “Horses.”
On September 2, just ten days before his murder, he released a new song, “Luv Me Again,” as an independent artist. It’s genuinely a shame whenever there’s a loss in the industry, especially when there is still so much talent to be seen and heard from them. PnB Rock will live on in the music industry through his friends, family, and fans. His accomplishments will not go unrecognized.
Strike Out,
Lili Jahromi
Boca Raton
Lili Jahromi is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She spends an unnecessary amount of her time idolizing Lady Gaga, sharing intimate moments with her friends, and beachin’ it with her b*tches. You can reach her at jahromilrose@yahoo.com