Young Capone – born Rodriguez Smith and a protĂ©gĂ© of Jermaine Dupri – has died after he was reportedly feared missing.
Earlier this week, news began circulating that the East Atlanta rapper, who was believed to be 35, was missing and was last seen in Chicago.
Capone’s death was confirmed on Tuesday (August 15) by the his publicist Aleesha Carter on Instagram.
“This is with a heavy heavy heart that I’m even posting this. We made magic when we strategically put out projects, always. Young Capone aka Dopeboy Ra aka Rara was one of my first Hip Hop/ Rap clients, and I can’t believe the news I just got of his unexpected passing!” she captioned the post alongside a carousel of images featuring the rapper.
She added, “A friend…a client and just huge in East Atlanta. This is not the easiest post at all. Rest easy, RIP @dopeboyra #dopeboyra #youngcapone.”
A cause of death has yet to be determined. It’s unclear if he was found before his death.
Dupri acknowledged Capone’s death on Instagram, captioning a photo of the late rapper with four white dove emojis.
Capone worked with industry heavyweights such as Daz Dillinger and Jermaine Dupri, which landed him a record deal with Dupri’s So So Def label.