Archie Eversole, Rapper of Popular Sports Anthem 'We Ready,' Dead at 37

Courtesy Atlanta United 

A day after Georgia radio station Hot 107.9 FM announced his death citing "close sources" to the family, authorities confirmed the death of Atlanta-based rapper Archie Eversole, Thursday.

According to a statement released by the DeKalb County Police Department, the musician born Arthur Eversole, 37, and best known for his 2002 hit single "We Ready," was shot on March 25 in Decatur, Georgia, and was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.

"On March 25, 2022, Officers responded to the Chevron at 4410 Snapfinger Woods Drive in reference to a person shot," the statement reads. "Upon arrival, they located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound," the statement read. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries on April 3, 2022."

The police went on to say that officers had located the suspect at the location of the incident and taken him into custody and that he had been identified as Alexander Kraus, Eversole's brother. Kraus was initially charged with aggravated assault, but his charges were upgraded to murder after Eversole died.

A veteran of the Atlanta rap scene, Eversole's 2002 collaboration with Bubba Sparxx, "We Ready," rocketed up the charts and became the hip-hop stadium anthem of choice for multiple sports teams and leagues following its release.

The man who gave us “We Ready, the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old.
Rest In Peace Archie Eversole.
Prayers up to his family and loved ones.
pic.twitter.com/Y4q55WzgWt

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 13, 2022

The track which heavily sampled the 1969 hit “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam, helped his debut album, recorded when he was just 17-years-old, "Ride Wit Me Dirty South Style" to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

While he never matched the success of "We Ready" he continued to record, contribute and participate in the local rap community.

In 2018, he was chosen by Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United to create an anthem for the fledgling team. The result was “United We Conquer,” a rousing piece popular with supporters. Following the announcement of his death, the club released a statement saying, "we are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Archie Eversole."

"A staple in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, Archie adopted Atlanta United before our first season and continued to be one of our club’s most fervent supporters," it read.

Club statement on the passing of Atlanta hip-hop artist Archie Eversole. pic.twitter.com/PuT8xQUuUg

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) April 14, 2022

"In addition to his decorated musical career, his voice will long live in our supporters’ minds as ‘We Ready’ billows through the speakers for kick-off at Atlanta United matches. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.”

Fans and friends also took to social media to memorialize the fallen artist.

Former NFL Player Robert Griffin III summed up a lot of their sentiment on Twitter writing, “The man who gave us ‘We Ready,’ the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old. Rest In Peace Archie Eversole. Prayers up to his family and loved ones.”