Yaki Kadafi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yaki Kadafi
Kadafi in 1995
Kadafi in 1995
Background information
Birth nameYafeu Akiyele Fula
Also known asYoung Hollywood, Felony, Killa Kadafi, The Prince
Born(1977-10-09)October 9, 1977
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
OriginMontclair, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedNovember 10, 1996(1996-11-10) (aged 19)
Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresHip hop, gangsta rap
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1994–1996
LabelsHavenotz, Cold Flo, 1 Nation
Associated acts2Pac, Hussein Fatal, Outlawz, Tha Dogg Pound, Nate Dogg, O.F.T.B., Snoop Dogg, Boot Camp Clik

Yafeu Akiyele Fula (October 9, 1977 – November 10, 1996), better known by his stage name Yaki Kadafi, was an American rapper and a founder and member of the hip hop groups Outlawz and Dramacydal.

Early life and education[]

Yafeu Fula was born in the Bronx, New York City on October 9, 1977 to Sekou Odinga and Yaasmyn Fula. When he was four years old, his father, Odinga, was arrested and charged with six counts of attempted murder, nine predicate acts of racketeering influenced corrupt organization (RICO), assisting in the escape of Assata Shakur from prison and violent theft of an armored truck. Yafeu was raised by his mother, whose surname he adopted.[1]

Kadafi's parents were both members of the Black Panther Party.[2] Yaasmyn Fula and Tupac Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur, were close friends, and Kadafi and Tupac were friends until their respective deaths in 1996.

Career[]

In 1994, Fula ran into his childhood friend Mutah "Napoleon" Beale. Yafeu's mother introduced Napoleon to Tupac Shakur, and all three created Dramacydal. Yafeu, only 16, took on the stage name "Young Hollywood." The group appeared on Tupac's album Me Against the World.

When Tupac was in prison in 1995 on sexual assault charges, Kadafi visited him daily. At one of these visits, Tupac and Kadafi decided to form the rap group Outlawz, which would bring many members back from Tupac's earlier groups, Dramacydal and Thug Life. Fula also teamed up with fellow Outlawz member Hussein Fatal to record material under the name "Fatal-N-Felony". An album was planned but never materialized, although some songs planned for the album appeared on Son Rize Vol.1.

That same year, upon Tupac's release from prison, Kadafi met with him to sign with Death Row. He guest-starred on Tupac's All Eyez on Me and featured on three songs. At this point, Fula began his entry into the public eye, appearing in music videos, going to award shows and performing onstage. The Outlawz recorded frequently with Tupac throughout 1996.

On September 13, 1996, Tupac died after being shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting near the Las Vegas Strip on September 7. Kadafi was in the car directly behind Tupac, and claimed to have seen the white Cadillac pull up alongside him and open fire.[3]

Death[]

On November 10, 1996, nearly two months after Tupac's death, Kadafi, at the age of 19, was found slumped in the third-floor stairwell of an apartment building at 325 Mechanic Street in Orange, New Jersey. According to the Las Vegas Sun,[4] Fula was found by New Jersey police at 3:48 am. It is believed he had been accidentally shot once in the head by Napoleon's cousin, Roddy Beale, who later turned himself in to the police and served 7–8 years in prison. However, this has been disputed by Kadafi's mother and a female witness.[5] His death has been written about in numerous publications, including the book The Killing of Tupac Shakur by Cathy Scott.[6][7]

Discography[]

Solo albums[]

  • Son Rize Vol. 1 (2004)

Collaboration albums[]

Guest appearances[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Yaasym Fula interview with Kadafi Legacy" (PDF). Kadfilegacy. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  2. ^ ""IMDb Biography of Yafeu Fula" IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  3. ^ "Witness to Rapper's killing is shot dead". Los Angeles Times. November 14, 1996. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  4. ^ Scott, Cathy (November 13, 1996). "Shakur shooting witness found dead in N.J." Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  5. ^ "Napoleon (Outlawz) on his Cousin Accidentally Killing Kadafi". YouTube. DJ Vlad. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  6. ^ Scott, Cathy (2002). The Killing of Tupac Shakur. ISBN 9780929712208. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  7. ^ "Published books about Yaki Kadafi". Retrieved June 5, 2012.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""