Rapper Ralan Styles, whose real name was Michael Robinson, was tragically shot and killed during an attempted robbery in Columbus, Ohio. The 22-year-old artist, known for his viral rendition of “Baby Shark,” was shot multiple times in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Witnesses reported that the shooter, believed to be a petty criminal, attempted to steal Styles’ neck chain, leading to a struggle that ended in gunfire. The suspect fled the scene after the fatal altercation.
What Happened?
Police responded to a call in the Victorian Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, just before 5 a.m., where they were directed inside a home by a man at the scene.
Officers found rapper Ralan Styles, whose real name was Michael Robinson, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite officers’ attempts to revive him through CPR, Styles, originally from Tallahassee, Florida, was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m.
Witnesses provided a detailed description of the shooter, leading police to arrest 24-year-old Mahamood Hassan nearby. He was identified in a police lineup and charged with murder.
Hassan, who has a criminal history of trespassing and theft, is currently being held in Franklin County Jail and is set to appear in court on Monday.
Rest in Peace to @imralanstyles 💔🕊️#RalanStyles #MusicXclusives pic.twitter.com/w1VYNJqFRy
— MUSICXCLUSIVES (@MusicXclusives) October 20, 2024
Who was Ralan Styles?
Rapper Ralan Styles gained viral fame in 2022 with his dark, brooding remix of the popular children’s song “Baby Shark. ” His remix amassed over four million views on YouTube and even more on TikTok. His unexpected twist on the cultural phenomenon from 2019 earned him widespread attention, leading to a record deal with Republic Records.
In June, Styles attended the Republic Records BET Awards, marking a significant milestone in his career. He had recently released the track Polyamorous, featuring Justina Valentine, further establishing his presence in the music industry before his untimely death.
R.I.P Ralan Styles your freestyles were so good pic.twitter.com/6AKEjHyJbT
— Papi Chulo (King)👑 (@Marchestfinest3) October 19, 2024
