lilmarlo_1/Instagram

1st N 3rd rapper Lil Marlo has been shot and killed in Atlanta, Georgia.

Local law enforcement were called to Interstate 285 in the early hours of the morning today, July 12, where they found the rapper had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are still investigating the circumstances under which the artist – real name Rudolph Johnson – was shot. He was 27 years old.

View this post on Instagram

We just did a song a 4 this morning smh rip brother @lilmarlo_1 😔

A post shared by ^CONCRETE BOY BOAT^ (@lilyachty) on Jul 11, 2020 at 11:35pm PDT

Rumours and unconfirmed reports of Lil Marlo’s death first started circulating earlier today, with footage of a damaged car by the side of the freeway being shared on Twitter.

TMZ has since confirmed the shooting with Atlanta Police Department, explaining they responded to a call at 2.06am. It’s unclear whether it was a drive-by shooting, someone in the car shot him or if other events led to his passing. The city’s medical examiner also confirmed to the publication that they had the body in their possession.

Rest In Peace to Atlanta’s own, Lil Marlo. The rapper & rising star was known for hits like ‘1st and 3rd’ and ‘Stay Down’.

Sending much love to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/z2B2pMhQxU

— Def Pen (@defpen) July 12, 2020

Speed Me Up rapper Lil Yachty posted a picture of Lil Marlo to his Instagram, writing: ‘We just did a song a 4 this morning smh rip brother.’

Fellow Atlanta rapper Clay James also wrote: ‘Waking up seeing Lil Marlo passed away made me appreciate waking up even more… it’s a sad day in Atlanta. Prayers up to his family, friends, and QC. Black lives won’t matter to anyone else if they don’t start mattering to US first.’

Never take for granted being able to return home safely to your family. This, along with waking up everyday are underrated BLESSINGS. 🙏🏾

— CLAY JAMES (@WhoIsClayJames) July 12, 2020

He added in a tweet: ‘Never take for granted being able to return home safely to your family. This, along with waking up everyday are underrated BLESSINGS.’

Lil Marlo joined the Quality Control label back in 2017, where he worked alongside the likes of Migos, Lil Yachty, Lil Baby and City Girls. He released such songs as 2 The Hard Way, Chance, Big Tymers, Rac Racing and Time After Time.

Rest In Peace to Atlanta rapper, Lil Marlo. He passed away today at the age of 27. 🕊🙏🏾
“Marlo my dawg that’s fa sho. We won’t fall out about shit, ‘specially not bout no bitch.”
– Lil Baby, “Freestlye”https://t.co/cXIHKBWugz pic.twitter.com/OKFjWYvjj7

— TheFilmCulture.com (@TheFilmCulture) July 12, 2020

In an interview with Rolling Out in 2018, Lil Marlo said he didn’t expect to become a rapper, explaining:

All this stuff just happened. I’m going with the flow though. I like this flow, but I didn’t know any of this was going to happen. Growing up, I was the quiet type, I don’t really speak a lot.

People always told me you act like a rapper, and you move like a rapper, but I never took any of it seriously. After people kept telling me: ‘Bruh you need to just go ahead and rap.’ I started rapping, and it’s just been on ever since.

He is survived by four children: Kemora; Rihanna; Marlo; and Rudy.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.

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