Who Is Mello Buckzz, The Chicago Drill Rapper At The Center Of River North Mass Shooting?

Mello Buckzz, an emerging drill rapper from Chicago, faced a devastating tragedy as a drive-by shooting disrupted her mixtape release party, killing four individuals and wounding 14 others. The incident occurred in River North after 11 p. m. on Wednesday, with police recovering two types of shell casings during their investigation. Among the victims were Buckzz's boyfriend and best friend, leading her to express profound sorrow on Instagram, calling for prayers and sharing her heartbreak.

Authorities are currently examining potential links to prior shootings in the area, with no arrests made thus far. Buckzz, who has nearly 400,000 Instagram followers, released her debut mixtape "HollyHOOD" shortly before the incident, aiming to make a mark in the drill rap scene. The shooting reflects ongoing issues of gun violence in Chicago, where the local music scene often intersects with street culture. Buckzz's story highlights the challenges faced by artists in the city, as they navigate both their careers and the realities of their environment. Jabari M.

Evans, a media scholar, noted her potential to represent female perspectives in Chicago rap.