Rapper Camoflauge Killed

MSN Entertainment News ^ | 5/21/03 | AP

[FourtySeven]

SAVANNAH (AP) -- The rapper Camoflauge, whose homespun albums made him a celebrity in Savannah while flirting with greater fame, was fatally shot while walking with his toddler son outside his recording studio.

The 21-year-old rapper, whose real name was Jason Johnson, died Monday evening at a local hospital after he was shot outside Pure Pain Records in midtown Savannah.

His son was not hurt. Police had made no arrests Tuesday.

Acting Police Chief Willie Lovett formed a task force to investigate whether Johnson's death was related to recent violence including two other killings, and whether retribution might be involved.

With songs including "Cut Friends" and "Laying My Stunt Down," the dreadlock-tressed Camoflauge had become a celebrity in his hometown. He released his third album, "Keeping It Real," in August on independent Pure Pain.

He was often seen hanging out near the recording studio, flashing gold teeth and wads of money, and driving around town in a Ford Expedition with his face and name painted on the side. At Christmas, he would bring gifts to housing projects dressed as "Camo Claus" in a red suit and beard.

"He watched out for the community, not just himself," said local fan Diane Bryan. "He didn't kick us to the curb. He was trying to get Savannah on the map."

Camoflauge's background formed the perfect "gangsta rap" resume. He grew up in Savannah's public housing projects, had a record of arrests on drug possession charges and suffered minor injuries in a shooting last year.

He also spent three months in jail in 2000 charged with murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Kenneth Capers. Camoflauge was released after a grand jury failed to indict him.

Lovett said a $2,500 reward would be paid for information leading to arrests in the deaths of Camoflauge, Felix Michael Scott and Michael Grant.

Early Tuesday, detectives identified a suspect named Dorian Orr in the shooting of Grant on Saturday. The police also issued a new wanted poster on Stephen Edward Roston for a recent aggravated assault, although they did not indicate a connection to the recent slayings.

The same month Capers was slain, Camoflauge's first Pure Pain album, "I Represent," climbed to No. 58 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues/ Hip Hop chart.

Universal Records signed Camoflauge for his follow-up album, "Strictly 4 Da Streets: Sex, Drugs and Violence, Vol. 1." But the major label dropped the rapper soon after its release.

"He's the first person from Savannah to make it big. Not MTV big, but big for Savannah," said 16-year-old fan Sierra McCoy, who lives in one of the housing projects where Camoflauge grew up and considers the rapper an inspiration.

Many considered the rapper a role model despite his violent, profanity-laced lyrics and brushes with the law. Savannah high schools would invite Camoflauge to host pep rallies. In 2001, he was invited to appear at a Father's Day celebration at Savannah's Daffin Park.

Camoflauge said last year he always knew he would be famous.

"Everyone knew it was going to happen," the rapper said. "I just wanted to be like the boys I saw on the corner — with gold teeth and fancy cars."

[tracer]

Camoflauge may been killed simply because a careless CCW holder couldn't see him.....

[tracer]

I once thought about buying some of his CDs, but I just couldn't see it....

[VOA]

Rappers/Hip Hoppers and Country Music have a lot of people who own guns.

Yet, Country fans and artists arent killing each other.

Careful there...the Political Correctness Police (formerly The Thought Police)
will be visiting you to warn you about being "judgemental" with these
sort of observations...

One of the groups you mention will think you're "prejudiced"...and it wouldn't
be the Country music fans...

Ah for the good old mellow days of the 1960s and early 1970s, when music stars and
many of their fans would either just overdose or fry their own brains...
or the original country music stars who'd just do too much Jack Daniels or tobacco...

[b4its2late]

These rapper types shooting each other up is getting a bit out of control. There's got to be something to it that is not evident here...

I never recall Billy Joel trying to off Elton John, or Blue Oyster Cult going after Boston in the 70's.....

[Dan from Michigan]

Furthermore, I think the only reason more rappers don't die is because they're all such bad shots.

You mean, you're not supposed to turn your .25 pea shooter sideways and fire?

[tiamat]

Abe Froman wrote:

Universal Records signed Camoflauge for his follow-up album, "Strictly 4 Da Streets: Sex, Drugs and Violence, Vol. 1."

Touche'.

Is all hope for America lost?

*****************************

Nah. Just a case of "Evolution in Action".

I feel sorry for the little boy, though.

Tia

[arthurus]

I can't imagine such an item not mentioning the child's mother . Perhaps there is/was no mother?

[cinFLA]

Many considered the rapper a role model despite his violent, profanity-laced lyrics and brushes with the law. Savannah high schools would invite Camoflauge to host pep rallies. In 2001, he was invited to appear at a Father's Day celebration at Savannah's Daffin Park.

A time for silence; the world has lost a great person ...

[FourtySeven]

Many considered the rapper a role model despite his violent, profanity-laced lyrics and brushes with the law.

And what would be wrong with that sentence?

To your typical DIMoWIT probably nothing.

[oceanperch]

The wife did it! For real though prayers for his son and those who loved him. Sounds like he made a deal with the devil and the contract was ended. Remember on of the OH GOD movies were the down on his luck musician made a deal with the devil? OTOH maybe warning signs should be posted on the outside of rapper recording studios NOT This place sound like the town I was reaised in seems like a vortex of evil was over it. Pittsburg California. Yuk

[joesnuffy]

competition

[Puppage]

But, I can still see him!!!

[redbone]

'I never recall Billy Joel trying to off Elton John, or Blue Oyster Cult going after Boston in the 70's.....'

You're assuming that rappers shoot other rappers. Tupac didn't shoot Biggie and vice-versa. Although this guy was not a saint he was making music and trying to do something positive with his life. It's a really a shame, the crabs in a barrel phenomena continues...

[Pahuanui]

Yeah it's funny how the primarily legal gun owners (country music stars and fans) are so restrained concerning gunplay yet the primarily illegal gun owners and users (hip-hop musicians & followers) are so quick to draw and fire.

Assumes facts not in evidence.

[1riot1ranger]

Camoflauge Pic:

[Paul C. Jesup]

Someone out of state had to have killed him because anyone in Georgia knows about the concealed gun laws on the books in the state Georgia. Killing someone in public is close to suicide in Georgia because people WILL usually return fire.

[b4its2late]

I guess I assumed wrong them. I thought it was rapper on rapper (sounds like the title of a new rap song..).

[VaBthang4]

Apparently the Camoflauge didnt work.

[Abe Froman]

True but I'm quite sure the odds are in my favor on that assumption.