Young rapper Dolla once told his brother, rapper Will "Scrapp DeLeon" Robinson, that he didn't fear death. And that when it comes, he wanted people to wear white and celebrate his life, Robinson told hundreds of mourners Saturday at Dolla's funeral service.
Thus many of the hundreds of people who came to the Word of Faith Love Center in East Point donned white clothing and draped glittering white scarves around their heads. They somberly filed past Dolla's body, wrapped in cream-colored fabric.
"He looks like royalty," said Dr. Regina Naasirah Blackburn, who works with the Temple of Hip Hop, an organization that she said works to "rescue hip hop from violence."
Blackburn said she didn't know the rapper, born Roderick Anthony Burton II, but felt compelled to attend his funeral.
"He's 21; his whole life was in front of him — I don't know why [Dolla's shooter] thought he could solve his problems like that."
The up-and-coming hip hop star died from gunshot wounds Monday afternoon outside the Beverly Center Mall in West Hollywood, Calif. Snellville resident Aubrey Louis Berry, 23, was arrested hours later at the Los Angeles International Airport and charged with Dolla's murder.
Berry, who has pleaded not guilty to murder and two counts of assault, remains in jail with bail set at $5 million.
Los Angeles attorney Howard Price said Berry, his client, was acting in self-defense when he shot Dolla repeatedly with a 9 mm handgun. According to Los Angeles police, Dolla was unarmed and was shot several times in the back.
During Saturday's service, Robinson stood at the front with close friends and family, including D.J. Shabazz, who was with Dolla at the time of his death, and reflected on his brother's family life and path to fame.
"It was never me or I; it was we, us and they," Robinson said of Dolla, who was signed to singer Akon's record label. "He put other people in front of himself."
He shared the text message he sent to his brother after his death, including this sentiment:
"My big brother has died, but I gained a bigger angel. I always knew you were too good to be here."
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