Kodak Black was one of four people shot outside of a party hosted by Justin Bieber in Los Angeles on February 11. The 24-year-old rapper was struck in the leg after a nearby scuffle triggered gunfire, but is since back on his feet and making a full recovery.
According to longtime music manager Wack 100, the shooting wasnât done at random; he believes it was payback for Kodakâs remarks about the actress and model Lauren London, who was dating and shared a child with beloved L.A. native Nipsey Hussle before his murder in 2019.
âOn some clout chasing shit,â Wack said while discussing the motive behind the shooting during a recent Clubhouse conversation. âTalking about, âWhatâs that shit you said about Lauren London? Get the fuck out of here!â But Kodak got off!â
Kodak Black faced an onslaught of criticism in April 2019 when he made inappropriate comments about Lauren London being newly single, just days after Nipsey was fatally shot outside of his Marathon Clothing store in South Los Angeles.
âShe finna be out here single!â he was heard saying in a clip posted to social media. âShe finna be a whole widow out here. Iâll be the best man I could be for her. Iâll give her a whole year, she might need a whole year to be crying and shit for dude.â
He added, âI ainât trying to shoot at her. Iâm saying, listen, she can do two, three years. Iâll try to be like a friend to holla, a shoulder to lean on. You can call my line.â
Kodak later issued an apology (a year and three months later, to be exact), but that didnât shelter him from backlash from his rap peers. Dave East â a close friend of Nipseyâs â nixed the Florida rapper from his Survival album, while T.I. removed a painting of him from his Trap Music Museum in Atlanta.
âMe and Nip, it was deeper than rap,â East explained. âSo anybody, I donât care who it mightâve been, donât speak on that man after that man gone if itâs not in a good light. Donât speak on that manâs woman, that manâs kids. Donât bring that man up.â