Drakeo the Ruler was fatally stabbed to death behind the scenes at the Once Upon a Time music festival in LA on Saturday night.
Less than 48 hours after he was murdered, his mother spoke up. In an interview with Rolling Stone At her LA home, an emotional Darrylene Corniel reflected on her son’s final moments and vowed to get justice.
“I need this out here. I need people who know. And I want justice for my son. And I believe that justice will be served, ”she said. “I will not rest until justice is done.”
According to Corniel, Drakeo was backstage with a small group of people, including his younger brother Devonte Caldwell aka Ralfy the Plug, when they were “flooded” by a large crowd that arrived at the same time as YG.
“They said there were 40 to 60 people,” she said. “Everything happened so quickly. They tried to skip them. “
Although she hasn’t spoken to investigators yet, she has her own theory about the killer’s motivation. “It’s a shame how much jealousy and envy can make people bow to such low tactics as trying to destroy another person on the basis of fame and progress,” she said. “If you start getting up there, people will be intimidated. So I think people got upset when his platform got higher.
Corniel also criticizes the safety of the venue for failing to do her job. “They let all these people in, and you shouldn’t have all these people backstage. And your safety should be there, ”she said. “You had more people than you should. And you allowed them to jump my son. You didn’t protect my son. “
Concert promoter Live Nation said the incident occurred “on a backstage street” at the Banc of California Stadium in Exposition Park, LA. As a result, the festival ended prematurely before headliners Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent took the stage.
“We plan to sue,” said Corniel. “That happened backstage at an event. Someone has to be held accountable. “
Corniel saw her eldest son for the last time through a hospital window. “I couldn’t hug him or kiss him or anything. I had to look at him through a window, ”she said.
After Drakeo’s death, his industry friends, including Drake and Saweetie, shared tributes. Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa also called for peace in hip-hop amid the tragedy.