‘Chicago Mike,’ Who Helped Define Kool & the Gang’s Stage Energy, Killed in Georgia Crash

Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, longtime wardrobe stylist and hype man for Kool & the Gang, is shown in an undated photo. Sumler, who worked with the band for decades and was known for energizing crowds with his signature style and dance moves, died May 25 in a car crash in suburban Atlanta. (Facebook)

Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, a longtime stylist, hype man, and performer with Kool & the Gang, died
in a car crash in Cobb County, Georgia, on May 25. He was 71.

According to Cobb County police, the crash occurred around 11:35 p.m. on Veterans Memorial Highway near Buckner Road in Mableton. Sumler’s Nissan was struck head-on by a Kia entering the intersection. Sumler was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. The other driver was not injured.

  

Sumler, a Chicago native, began working with Kool & the Gang in the mid-1980s after meeting a member of the band's security team at a local show. He initially joined as a wardrobe stylist and later became known for energizing crowds as a hype man, often dancing across the stage with a boombox or Walkman. He also contributed as a backup singer and tambourine player.

In a 2018 interview on the "Kelly Talk Show," Sumler recounted his introduction to the band and his evolving role over the years. He worked with Kool & the Gang from 2000 to 2015, ensuring the band looked their best on stage and engaging audiences with his dynamic presence.

Kool & the Gang paid tribute to Sumler on social media, stating, “We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our longtime wardrobe valet, Mike Sumler. Mike worked alongside Kool & the Gang from 2000–2015, making sure the guys looked their best on stage every night. He also hyped the crowd with his energy and dance moves at the top of the show.”

Sumler was born on Nov. 1, 1953, in Chicago to John and Dorothy Sumler. He grew up in the Kenwood neighborhood and attended Bond Elementary School and Harper High School. His mother, Dorothy Sumler, described him as “a good guy, my only son, the oldest of my three children, and he’d do anything he could for you.”

He is survived by his daughters, Monica Ford and Elisia White; his son, Alexander Jenkins; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 9 at Emanuel’s Chapel Funeral Home, 5112 S. Western Ave. A wake is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 10 at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 4600 S. King Dr., followed by a funeral service at noon.

Federal Prosecutors Will Not Seek Death Penalty Against Lil Durk

Courtesy Broward County Sheriff’s Office

Federal prosecutors have confirmed they will not seek the death penalty against Chicago rapper Lil Durk in his ongoing murder-for-hire case connected to a 2022 shooting at a Los Angeles gas station.

Lil Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, is accused of orchestrating an attack that allegedly targeted rival rapper Quando Rondo and resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. The alleged hit, according to a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, involved members of Banks’ collective, Only the Family (OTF), tracking and attempting to kill an individual identified as T.B. on Aug. 19, 2022.

Prosecutors allege Banks placed a monetary bounty on the target and directed OTF members to carry out the assault. Surveillance footage and digital evidence reportedly link two vehicles to the coordinated ambush. The attack ultimately led to Robinson’s death, though Rondo survived.

Banks is one of five individuals facing federal charges including murder, murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death. Authorities characterize the alleged scheme as a gang-affiliated retaliation plot carried out across state lines.

In April, Banks’ legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that prosecutors misled the grand jury by implying Banks bragged about the killing in a song. His attorneys noted that the track in question was recorded seven months before the incident and that Banks had no involvement in a later-modified version uploaded to YouTube.

The court has also ruled that lyrics from the song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy” cannot be used as evidence in the trial, agreeing with defense arguments that the content is not relevant and was recorded prior to the alleged crime.

Additionally, prosecutors have accused Banks of threatening witnesses while in custody, which contributed to a judge's decision to deny bond. A proposed $4.5 million bail package — which included personal funds, real estate assets, and 24/7 monitoring — was rejected. Prosecutors cited concerns over Banks’ behavior behind bars, including alleged misuse of communication systems.

The credibility of the government’s case has been challenged by the defense, who argue that it relies heavily on a paid FBI informant, identified in court documents as "CHS 1," a former gang member with a history of criminal activity. Banks’ attorneys have questioned the reliability of this source and pointed out that he has not been charged in related Illinois cases despite a three-year investigation.

In February 2025, Saviay’a Robinson’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Banks, seeking civil damages for her son’s killing.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin Oct. 14, 2025. Prosecutors have indicated that the case is unusually complex, involving more than 20,000 pages of documents and over 230 gigabytes of digital evidence.

The federal decision not to pursue the death penalty narrows sentencing possibilities, but Banks still faces life imprisonment if convicted.

Lil Wayne Returns With New Album, Major Tour Across U.S. and Canada

Lil Wayne appears in promotional artwork for his 2025 “Tha Carter VI” North American tour, which kicks off June 6 with a show at Madison Square Garden in New York. The 34-date trek supports the rapper’s forthcoming album “Tha Carter VI.” (Live Nation)

Lil Wayne is bringing his Carter legacy to center stage. The hip-hop icon announced today he’s hitting the road for a sprawling North American tour in support of his long-awaited album "Tha Carter VI," which drops Friday.

The tour launches the same night with a milestone moment: Wayne’s first solo headlining performance at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. From there, the 34-city trek resumes June 30 in Virginia Beach
and stretches across major markets, including Los Angeles, Toronto, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Phoenix, before closing in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Oct. 2.

Presented by Live Nation, the "Tha Carter VI Tour" is stacked with talent. Longtime Young Money collaborator Tyga joins the lineup as a special guest, alongside Atlanta’s Belly Gang Kushington. NoCap is also set to appear at select shows, adding even more firepower to the lineup.

Presale tickets open to fans Wednesday, June 4, with general ticket sales launching Friday at 10 a.m. local time. VIP packages will include premium seats, limited edition merchandise, early venue entry, and exclusive tour posters, according to Live Nation.

"Tha Carter VI" marks Lil Wayne’s first solo studio album since 2020’s "Funeral," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The previous three chapters in the "Carter" series — "Tha Carter III," "IV," and "V" — each reached the top of the chart, solidifying the saga as one of hip-hop’s most revered discographies.

Wayne first teased the new album in a surprise Super Bowl commercial for skincare brand Cetaphil, then confirmed the June 6 release date earlier this spring. While a full tracklist has yet to be revealed, the album is expected to blend the wordplay, flow, and stylistic innovation that made the New Orleans rapper a generational voice.

Few artists have shaped hip-hop like Lil Wayne. With over two decades of bars, mixtapes, and Billboard dominance, his return to the national stage is more than a tour — it’s a victory lap. For a generation raised on "Lollipop," "A Milli," and the early Carter installments, the summer of 2025 promises a live celebration of a rap titan’s past, present and future.

For dates and ticket info, visit livenation.com.