King Von, a rising star from Chicago, was undoubtedly one of the most promising rappers in the industry. Despite being active for just around two years, he had already made a significant impact with his music.
Tragically, his life was abruptly cut short during a confrontation with a rival rapper crew in what appeared to be a gang-related dispute. His untimely death shook the music world and left his fans mourning the loss of a talented artist with so much potential.
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Who Was King Von?
King Von, whose real name was Dayvon Daquan Bennett, was an esteemed American rapper hailing from Chicago, Illinois. He had a promising career and was affiliated with Lil Durk’s record label, Only the Family, and Empire Distribution. Tragically, his life was cut short on November 6, 2020, when he passed away.
King Von Early Life
Born on August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, Bennett’s family life was marked by complexity. He had six half-siblings from his father, Walter E. Bennett, and three siblings from his mother, Taesha. Raised primarily by his mother, his relationship with his father was strained and inconsistent, partly due to his father’s periods of incarceration.
Tragically, when Von was just 11 years old, his father fell victim to a fatal shooting by an unidentified assailant. This loss deeply affected him, leading him to pay tribute to his father through several songs, showcasing the impact of the tragedy on his life.
At the age of 16, Von’s life took a different turn when he faced his first encounter with the law and was incarcerated. In 2014, he faced serious charges, including one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, in connection with a shooting incident that resulted in one death and two injuries.
However, after a trial, he was acquitted of all charges, leading him to shift his focus toward his passion for music. During this period, he collaborated with Lil Durk, and they began to work on developing his music career.
Before the legal issues, Von was also pursuing education and attended South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois. Despite facing challenges, he persevered and earned his GED while in juvenile detention. However, during this time, he also became associated with the Black Disciples street gang, which further shaped his path in life.
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King Von’s Career
After being signed to Lil Durk’s Only the Family label, King Von made a significant impact with the release of his breakout single “Crazy Story” on December 6, 2018. The track gained widespread acclaim, setting the stage for his rising career.
In a show of support and admiration, his girlfriend, rapper Asian Doll, released the music video for “Grandson” on Valentine’s Day 2019, featuring King Von. Later in May 2019, a remix of “Crazy Story” titled “Crazy Story 2.0” featuring Lil Durk was released, along with a music video that peaked at number four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. Additionally, on September 13, 2019, “Crazy Story, Pt. 3” was unveiled, further solidifying his artistry.
In September 2019, King Von dropped his debut mixtape album, “Grandson, Vol. 1,” which showcased his talent with 13 tracks, including collaborations with Lil Durk and Chicago artist Booka600. The mixtape made a strong impact, debuting at number 75 on the Billboard 200, reaching number 27 on the Hip Hop/R&B Albums chart, and number 9 on the Independent Album chart.
Continuing his impressive musical journey, King Von released his second mixtape, “Levon James,” on March 6, 2020. The mixtape featured hits like “2 A.M,” “Rollin” with YNW Melly, and “Took Her to the O,” which became one of his most successful singles. “Levon James” debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200, eventually peaking at number 40, and featured collaborations with artists like NLE Choppa, Tee Grizzley, and Lil Durk.
In the lead-up to his debut studio album, “Welcome to O’Block,” King Von released notable singles like “Why He Told,” “All These Niggas” featuring Lil Durk, and “How It Go.” His debut album, released on October 29, 2020, showcased 16 tracks with production from Chopsquad DJ, Tay Keith, Wheezy, and Hitmaka, among others. The album included the hit collaboration with Polo G titled “The Code.”
Tragically, following his untimely passing, his team released music videos for several tracks, including “Wayne’s Story,” “Armed & Dangerous,” “Mine Too,” and “Demon,” further honoring his legacy as a talented and influential artist.
Posthumous Releases
Following the tragic passing of King Von, his musical legacy continued to thrive with the release of posthumous projects in his honor.
On December 24, 2020, Lil Durk paid tribute to King Von by releasing his album “The Voice.” The album featured King Von on the cover and included the track “Still Trappin’,” where Von’s presence resonated with his fans and supporters.
“What It Means to Be King” was another posthumous project that honored King Von’s talent and artistry. On February 4, 2022, the single “Don’t Play That” featuring 21 Savage was released, followed by another extract titled “War” on March 2, 2022. Both songs achieved commercial success, further solidifying King Von’s impact on the music industry.
On March 4, 2022, King Von’s management team released his first posthumous album, “What It Means to Be King,” which reached an impressive peak at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. To complement the album’s release, music videos for two tracks, “Too Real” (released on March 7, 2022) and “Get it Done” (released on August 9, 2022, in honor of his birthday), were unveiled, allowing fans to cherish his artistry even after his passing.
In January 2023, King Von’s manager announced the upcoming drop of another posthumous project by the rapper, scheduled for release later that year. Titled “Grandson,” the album was eagerly anticipated by fans and enthusiasts alike. Ahead of the album’s release, two singles were launched: “Robberies” on June 23, 2023, and “Heartless,” featuring Tee Grizzley, on July 7, 2023.
The album itself, “Grandson,” finally hit the airwaves on July 14, 2023, accompanied by a music video for the track “Don’t Miss” and official visualizers for each song on the album, allowing fans to immerse themselves in King Von’s artistry once more
King Von’s Personal Life
Before his passing, Bennett had an on-and-off relationship with the Texas rapper Asian Doll, but reportedly, they were not together at the time of his death.[51] Throughout his life, Bennett became a father to three children, comprising one son and two daughters.
Death And Remembrance
On November 6, 2020, at approximately 2:15 a.m., a tragic incident unfolded involving Bennett and his entourage outside the Monaco hookah lounge in Atlanta, Georgia. An altercation broke out between Bennett’s crew and Quando Rondo’s crew, and the situation quickly escalated, resulting in gunfire. Tragically, Bennett was shot multiple times during the exchange of gunfire and was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries later that day, at the age of 26.
The incident led to a total of two fatalities and six individuals wounded, including Bennett. Among the wounded was a suspect, who was taken into police custody for the murder of King Von while receiving treatment for a gunshot wound. The suspect, identified as Timothy Leeks, also known as Lul Timm, is a rapper affiliated with Quando Rondo.
On November 14, 2020, King Von was laid to rest in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, as friends, family, and fans bid their final farewells to the talented rapper.
In remembrance of his life and contributions to the music industry, Bennett was honored during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in the In Memoriam montage, paying tribute to those who had passed away.
In August 2021, a mural dedicated to King Von was created by artist Chris Devins in the Parkway Gardens complex, where Von had spent his childhood. The mural, however, sparked controversy among some Chicago residents who expressed concerns about potential gang-related crime and the perceived glorification of gang violence in the area.
