Rapper Accused in Murder of Young Dolph Drops Track From Jail

Justin Johnson

One of the four men who stand accused in the murder of rapper Young Dolph lost his phone privileges on Tuesday when it was revealed in court that he had recorded a rap song on YouTube from jail while in custody.

Judge Lee Coffee revoked Justin Johnson’s phone, writing, and visitation privileges for the offense.

“I am ordering that Mr. Johnson not be allowed to use a phone or have any visitation privileges unless it is his attorney because of that inappropriate recording that he allegedly released and recorded while he was in jail,” Judge Coffee said.

Johnson, whose rap name is “Straight Drop,” uploaded the song titled “No Statements” a few days before a Nov. 22, 2022, court hearing for another defendant charged in connection with the murder.

The artwork for the single says it was recorded inside 201 Poplar, the address of the men’s facility for Memphis, Tennessee’s, Shelby County Jail.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot 22 times while visiting South Memphis' bakery Makeda’s Cookies on Nov. 17, 2021. He died from gunshot wounds to his head, neck and torso.

Johnson was the first suspect arrested in his death and is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Three other men also face charges in his death: Jermarcus Johnson, Hernandez Govan and Cornelius Smith.

B. Smyth, 'Twerkaholic' Singer, Dead at 30

B. Smyth

“Twerkaholic” singer B. Smyth has died.

Denzil, the older brother of the Florida native, who first found fame by covering popular artists on YouTube, shared the news on Smyth’s official Instagram page Thursday (Nov. 17).

“I have to announce that my brother has passed away this morning from respiratory failure after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis,” he wrote.

There were conflicting reports of his age following the news, but several sources have confirmed that the R&B singer was 30 years old at the time of his death, though at publication his Wikipedia entry still lists his age as 28.

Smyth, whose first name was Brandon, signed to Motown Records in 2012 based on the strength of the popular covers he posted on his YouTube page of artists like Michael Jackson and Rihanna.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by B. SMYTH (@bsmyth__)

His first single “Leggo” with 2 Chainz was released in 2012. It reached No. 41 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and peaked at No. 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles list.

Smyth’s debut album “The Florida Files” followed in 2013, minus the single, but scored a solid hit in “Win Win” a collaboration with rapper Future.

The singer continued to make and produce music up until his death, releasing his second album “Thr3” in 2017 and several singles, but It was “Twerkaholic” that would come to define his career.

Released in 2014 the booty-shaking anthem built on a sample from Ready For the World’s 1986 hit “Love You Down,” has been streamed more than 13 million times on Spotify and 17 million views of its visual on YouTube.

He also had a viral hit with “Ride Good” in 2018. The single peaked at No. 14 on the Hot R&B Songs chart and has nearly 14 million streams on Spotify, while the video accompanying its release has over 30 million YouTube views.

In the video accompanying the news, Denzil thanked fans for his brother adding, "He wanted me to make this video to show how much he appreciates what you did for him. All the love and lightness you were showing him on social media - he really felt it."

Snoop Dogg Launches Line of Pet Accessories

Snoop Dogg has entered the pet accessory space.

It is a Doggy Dog World, and we are all just living in it.

After conquering the fields of acting, rapping, reggae and network television food shows — Tha Doggfather has a brand-new bag — taking care of man's best friend.

The entertainment icon released a statement announcing his new pet accessory line Snoop Doggie Doggs today (Nov. 17).

Created in partnership with SMAC Entertainment and Little Earth Productions, Inc., a leading manufacturer of licensed fashion accessories and apparel, it pulls inspiration from Snoop's lifestyle "and encourages pet owners everywhere to spoil their dogs (and cats alike) to live like royalty in their everyday lives."

"If my dogs ain't fresh I ain't fresh. These dogs and their apparel are a reflection of Tha Dogg himself, so they gotta look the role of a Top Dog, ya dig?!?!" Snoop Dogg said.

The brand's lineup includes dog apparel, plush toys, bowls, leashes, and more products designed to emulate some of the 2023 Songwriters Hall of Fame signature looks over the years. Items in the line retail from $14.99 to $99.99 and are shoppable exclusively at SnoopDoggieDoggs.com and Amazon.