Posted on 05/02/2006 10:28:25 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
HOUSTON — Big Hawk, a Houston rapper whose 2001 album reached No. 45 on Billboard's rap chart, was shot to death, police said Tuesday.
Hawk, whose real name was John Edward Hawkins, was a member of the late DJ Screw's rap collective the Screwed Up Click and brother to rapper Fat Pat, who was killed in 1998.
Hawk had planned to meet a friend Monday night but apparently arrived before the friend and walked to the side of the house where he was shot several times, police said. He died at the scene.
Police do not have a suspect and their only lead involves a witness who saw a white compact car with tinted windows nearby shortly after the shooting, HPD spokesman John Cannon said.
Hawk, 36, scored a regional hit with 2002's "You Already Know" and was recently featured on the popular single "Swang" by Trae that included a posthumous contribution from Hawk's brother. His 2001 self-titled album reached No. 45 on Billboard's list of top R&B and rap albums.
Hawk's verse on "Swang" includes a tribute to Fat Pat and DJ Screw, which says in part:
"I'ma swang, and a swang, and a swang to the left, pop my trunk for Fat Pat's death. I would give my last breath if I could bring you back, bring Screw back, a matter of fact bring the whole crew back."
Hawk was respected in the Houston underground rap scene and appeared on numerous mixtapes from artists such as Paul Wall, Lil' Flip, Z-Ro, E.S.G, Lil' Keke and Big Pokey.
DJ Screw, who died in 2000, and the Screwed Up Click popularized Houston's hypnotic, slowed-down style of rap called screw music.
Lee Morgan comes to mind.
I don't think there are enough numbers to answer that question.
Aside from the Bling-bling crowd, the only non-rapper I can remember getting murdered was that Latino singer, Selena. The president of her own fan club blew her away. Then there are the never-ending rumors that Kurt Cobain didn't kill himself, but that Courtney Love offed him. But that's about it.
BTW, Elvis doesn't count, since he's actually with the aliens on a UFO. ;^)
More info than I needed...
Big Hawk..him and his homies be lying in chalk.
Sam Cooke, soul singer. Lee Morgan jazz trumpeter. Bobby Fuller, rocker. Carlton barrett, reggae star. Marvin Gaye, soul singer. Al Jackson of Booker T and the MG's, soul musician. John Lennon, Beatle. Don Myrick of Earth Wind and Fire, 70s cheese rocker. Felix Pappalardi of Mountain, rocker. Bobby Ramirez, blues rocker. Jaco pastorius, jazz bassist. Jim Sheppard, rocker. Peter Tosh, reggae. Mia Zapata, Seattle punker.
You my friend are a rock for your family and "The Children". Even with this tragedy weighing on your soul, you, can still keep up your normal routine.
My Kanga Cap and Fedora are off to you sir.
Tonight, I will pour a little of my 40 on the curb tonight.
Shows how much I've forgotten, and pretty much disconnected myself from music, except for classic rock. I completely forgot about Marvin Gaye and John Lennon, but I'm not familiar with any of the others. Speaking of the Beatles, didn't somebody try to stab George Harrison a few years before he died?
Nominated for the Dead Rapper Memorial Hall of Fame. But the waiting list is so long he may have to wait a few years for induction.
So sad...
(sniff sniff...darn, bent the straw)
Very rare that I laugh at an obit, but this one's a riot.
I humbly stand corrected. Nice catch. I musta been trippin', yo.
Department of motor vehicles? Man, I AM sorry. As Dane Cook says, the first thing you should do when you go there is punch yourself hard, right in the face. Then it doesn't seem so bad.
ROFLMBO!!!!
"brother to rapper Fat Pat, who was killed in 1998... DJ Screw, who died in 2000..."
Of course, they're all still alive and sharing a big mansion with Tupak.
I admit I'm not a fan of rap music, but I don't celebrate someone being murdered. How tragic for the mother to have lost two sons.
Well in all fairness rap has only been around since the late seventies. So there are no old rappers and that is really not possible for another 20-30 years.
This is a little icky, but probably the last photo ever:
http://www.celebritymorgue.com/tupac-shakur/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.