A little more than a month before rapper Houdini was shot and killed on a Toronto street he debuted “VV,” a collaboration with fellow Canadian artist Killy.
Police said the 21-year-old, whose real name was Dimarjio Jenkins, was targeted in the brazen daylight attack.
Houdini was the fourth rapper featured on the compilation album NorthernSound to be shot to death in the five months since it dropped.
Two other rappers on the collection were arrested on gun charges following a daytime shooting in Toronto two years ago. Last October, Kareemallah Muhammad (K Money) and brother Sharrieff Muhammad (Casper TNG) pleaded guilty to several offences.
NorthernSound was released last December by Toronto-based 6ixBuzz Entertainment, which recently announced a partnership with Warner Music Canada. The first collection under the deal is the forthcoming Canada’s Most Wanted.
Following the death of Houdini, Warner Music Canada president Steve Kane issued a statement in which he said: “We urge our elected officials to help address the root causes of gun violence and put an end to these tragedies.”
Here is a look at the NorthernSound artists who have been killed:
Real name: Keeshawn Brown
Track: “Pain” with Tallup Twinz
Brown was found dead inside a home in Surrey, B.C. on Dec. 23, 2019. Police said the 18-year-old was targeted.
Real name: Jahquar Stewart
Track: “Facts" with Puffy L’z.
Stewart was shot multiple times outside a home in Oshawa, Ont. on Dec. 24, 2019. He was 24.
Real name: Tyronne Noseworthy
Track: “Pain” with Why-S
Noseworthy, one-half of rap duo Tallup Twinz, was one of three young men shot to death inside an Airbnb rental in a downtown Toronto condo building on Jan. 30, 2020. He was 19.
Real name: Dimarjio Jenkins
Track: “Too Soft” with NorthSideBenji
Jenkins was gunned down on May 26, 2020 in what police called a targeted attack on a downtown Toronto street. He was 21.