The youth and Baltimore arts community are in mourning today. Last night we had another of our brightest stars taken from us violently. Well known local rapper, Lor Scoota, was shot dead in broad daylight Saturday evening. 23-year-old Lor Scoota or Tyriece Travon Watson, as he was known to his loved ones, was targeted in the daytime shooting. The young rapper had just left Morgan State University where he hosted a Pray for Peace charity basketball event. Driving through the city another Black male approached his car at the corners of Harford and Moravia roads and shot him at least 11 times people are saying.
Before news of who the person was that had been killed broke on the internet it was just a story on the news stations social media. He was just a guy shot while driving down the street. I was just having a conversation about the guy in the car, having no clue that his death would devastate the youth and city of Baltimore. Within one hour of my discussion about the poor soul in the car and the young woman killed on the train in Chicago Thursday, Lor Scoota had been identified as the deceased. I immediately felt pain for my son.
I am not a fan of his music but I’d be a lie if I say I never heard it. His 2014 hit song “Bird Flu” was everywhere and was especially highlighted when the ravens went to the Superbowl in 2015. Most recently he had just released a remix of Desiigners “Panda” and a new song titled “Snapchat.” My son is a big fan, trying to put me on to to the young rapper’s music on more than one occasion. In fact, the moment I heard he was dead I felt bad, I have made fun of his name more times than I can count. Baltimore replaces the words “little” or “lil” with “Lor” Don’t ask, it’s a Baltimore thing and our school system is not the best (smile).
Like a lot of young Black males in Baltimore Lor Scoota grew up in the streets. He didn’t want to stay or die there though. The 23-year-old was working hard on his music and changing his life as he chased his dream. Dream chasers don’t make it far in Baltimore. Another local rapper, Chino, who is affiliated with Meek Mill’s Dreamchaser Records, was shot in the head in Baltimore earlier this year. Luckily he survived his injuries.
Lor Scoota loved to give back to his community, reading to the children and taking part in panel discussions at local high schools. He loved his city, his fans and his life and now he is gone. I just told you last week that Baltimore criminals had gotten out of control. Last year after the riot following the death of Freddie Gray Lor Scoota recorded a series of PSA’s encouraging peace throughout the city that played on local radio. He loved Baltimore, he put on for this city.
The city has gone wild, it’s not safe to do even the most mundane things. Just last week a 9-year-old girl was killed leaving school as a 14-year-old in a stolen car crashed in to her and two other.
Many credit Lor Scoota with putting Baltimore rap on the map, his death is a real loss for the city. The summer is just starting. I’m not looking forward to what’s in store if the first 6 months of 2016 has been any indication of what’s left to come. Social media is flooded with RIP’s and tributes to him, he’s trending on my Facebook right now. A sad day in Baltimore. I bet, in true Baltimore style, the dirt bikers will be out riding for him today and his music will be blasting throughout the city. Vigils are being planned as well.
The Urban Twist is based in Baltimore, while I usually don’t cover local news it is my duty and honor to pay tribute to those who made our city a better place.
To check out his music https://soundcloud.com/lorscoota
