A 21-year-old up-and-coming rapper was fatally shot Monday afternoon at a popular mall in Los Angeles.
Dolla, whose real name is Roderick Anthony Burton II, was shot in the head about 3:10 p.m. at the Beverly Center, his publicist said. Police later detained a person at the Los Angeles International Airport, said city police spokeswoman Karen Raynar. Further details were not immediately available about the shooting. Dolla, who was based in Atlanta, Georgia, was in Los Angeles recording his debut album. He caught the attention of multiplatinium R&B singer Akon when the then-12-year-old Dolla was performing with friends at showcases around Atlanta. The two collaborated on Dolla’s first single, “Who the F— Is That” which also featured another high-profile singer, T-Pain. Another Dolla song, “Feelin’ Myself,” appeared on the soundtrack to the 2006 movie “Step Up.”
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According to his MySpace page, Dolla was born in Chicago, Illinois. His twin sister died at birth because of complications from an enlarged heart. The family moved to Atlanta after Dolla’s father committed suicide while he, then 5, and another sister watched from their parents’ bed, the Web page said. Dolla began composing rhymes in elementary school and decided to pursue a career in music. Funeral services, which will be held in Atlanta, will be announced later, publicist Sue Vannasing said.
