Drakeo family to sue promoters over stabbing
Family members of Drakeo the Ruler are to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Live Nation, C3 Presents and Bobby Dee Presents after the rapper was stabbed to death backstage at last month’s Once Upon a Time in LA music festival.
The three companies promoted December’s ill-fated festival at the 23,500-cap. Banc of California Stadium. Drakeo, real name Darrell Caldwell, was attacked by a group of masked assailants prior to his scheduled performance at the event, and later died in hospital from his injuries.
Organisers are accused of providing insufficient security in the lead up to the attack, with attorney James Bryant, lawyer for Caldwell’s family members, telling a press conference Drakeo had been “essentially lynched” due to the lack of precautions, reports Billboard.
“His life was taken way too soon,” said Bryant. “This should never have never happened if those promoters had actually had the proper security protocols. This was a preventable death.”
The lawsuit is seeking “at least” $20 million in damages
A criminal investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
“Those who failed Drakeo the Ruler, they’re going to be held accountable,” added Bryant, who said the lawsuit is seeking “at least” $20 million in damages and would be filed in the coming week.
Live Nation, C3 and Bobby Dee Presents have not commented on the claim.
Staged on 18 December 2021, Once Upon a Time in LA was due to be headlined by Al Green, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, YG and Ice Cube.
“There was an altercation in the roadway backstage,” said Live Nation in a statement at the time. “Out of respect for those involved and in coordination with local authorities, artists and organisers decided not to move forward with remaining sets so the festival was ended an hour early.”
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Drakeo the Ruler dies after stabbing at festival
Police are investigating the fatal stabbing of Drakeo the Ruler at the Once Upon a Time in LA music festival.
According to the Los Angeles Times, paramedics responded to a report of an incident at the 23,500-cap. Banc of California Stadium at around 8.40pm on Saturday (18 December), which led to the event ending early.
Sources said the rapper, real name Darrell Caldwell, was attacked by a group of people backstage around the time he had been due to perform, and later died in hospital from his injuries. No arrests have yet been made.
Once Upon a Time in LA had been set to be headlined by Al Green, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, YG and Ice Cube. Other acts on the bill included The Game, Cypress Hill, George Clinton and Bones Thugs-N-Harmony.
The festival was a joint venture between Live Nation and indie promoter Bobby Dee Presents. C3 Presents were also involved in the event’s production, reports Billboard.
There was an altercation in the roadway backstage
“There was an altercation in the roadway backstage,” said Live Nation in a statement. “Out of respect for those involved and in coordination with local authorities, artists and organisers decided not to move forward with remaining sets so the festival was ended an hour early.”
Bobby Dee Presents also posted its condolences on social media, while Snoop Dogg tweeted that he was “saddened” by the events.
“My condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Drakeo the Rapper,” he wrote. “I was in my dressing room when I was informed about the incident and chose to immediately leave the festival grounds. My prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragedy.”
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