Young Scooter, the vibrant young Atlanta rap star whose idiosyncratic voice is fired by an unnerving brilliance, split open his soul with devastating precision. He was just 39 years old. It is with deepest regret that we confirm the passing, by our Fulton County Medical Examiner, though circumstances regarding cause/manner of death is pending. An autopsy was done March 29, though no clear findings were determined at that point.
Born Kenneth Edward Bailey in Walterboro, South Carolina, Young Scooter and his family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia when Scooter was in his early childhood. He kicked off his music career with force at the start of the 2010s. Before long, he became a notable player in the trap music scene. His close alliance with childhood friend Future and the Freebandz label played a major role in molding his career.
Young Scooter’s works often featured collaborations with notable artists such as Bun B, Gucci Mane, and his long-time collaborator Future. After the release of his 2013 mixtape Street Lottery, which put him on the map, the hip-hop world started to take notice. Critics characterized his manner of delivery as “stunt-style flatly declarative”, a nod to his blunt and dry spoken word style.
In recent years, Young Scooter kept on working, and his new album, “Streetz Krazy,” released in October 2023, is being touted as his best yet. He expressed pride in this work, stating, “It’s a lot of good songs on Streetz Krazy.” His unique approach to hip-hop led him to categorize his music as “count music,” a term he coined to reflect his focus on themes of money and street life.
Previously, Young Scooter released work that helped put the trap rap subgenre on the map. This style was hugely influential in creating Atlanta’s sound for the rest of his career. Yet he always, always stressed his uniqueness in that environment.
“I call it count music because all I talk about is money, and hustling and trapping and doing different street stuff,” – Young Scooter
His contributions to the genre are incredibly varied. Working with some of the hottest up-and-coming artists, such as Playboi Carti on “Music,” has reinvigorated his place in an industry that’s constantly changing.