Yaki Kadafi
Kadafi in 1995
Kadafi in 1995
Background information
Birth nameYafeu Akiyele Fula
Also known asYoung Hollywood, Felony, Killa Kadafi, The Prince
Born(1977-10-09)October 9, 1977
New York City, U.S.
OriginMontclair, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedNovember 10, 1996(1996-11-10) (aged 19)
Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresHip hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1994–1996
LabelsHavenotz, Cold Flo, 1 Nation
Formerly ofOutlawz

Yafeu Akiyele Fula (October 9, 1977 – November 10, 1996), better known by his stage name Yaki Kadafi, was an American rapper and a founding member of the hip hop group Outlawz.

Early life

Yafeu Fula was born in the Bronx, New York City, on October 9, 1977, to Sekou Odinga and Yaasmyn Fula. When he was four years old, his father Sekou Odinga was arrested and imprisoned; he was raised by his mother and adopted her surname.[1]

Kadafi's parents were both members of the Black Panther Party.[2] Yaasmyn Fula and Tupac Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur, were close friends, and Kadafi and Tupac were friends until their respective deaths in 1996. Kadafi had two daughters.

Career

In 1994, Fula reconnected with his childhood friend Mutah "Napoleon" Beale. Fula's mother, Yaasmyn, introduced Napoleon to Tupac Shakur, and all three created Dramacydal.[3] Fula, only 16, took on the stage name "Young Hollywood". The group appeared on Tupac's album Me Against the World.[4]

In 1995, upon Tupac's release from prison, Fula met with him to sign with Death Row.[2] He guest-starred on Tupac's All Eyez on Me and was featured on three songs. Soon, Dramacydal became known as Outlaw Immortals (or just Outlawz), and Fula changed his stage name to "Yaki Kadafi" after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Outlawz recorded frequently with Tupac throughout 1996. Fula also teamed up with fellow Outlawz member Hussein Fatal to record material under the name "Fatal-N-Felony".[5]

On September 13, 1996, Tupac died after being shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting near the Las Vegas Strip on September 7. Kadafi was in the car directly behind Tupac, and claimed to have seen a white Cadillac pull up alongside him and open fire.[6]

Death

On November 10, 1996, nearly two months after Shakur's death, Fula was shot in the head and died in Orange, New Jersey, with police finding his body in the hallway of a friend's apartment building upon responding to a report of gunfire.[7] He was 19 years old. Fellow Outlawz rapper Napoleon, whose cousin Rashad "Roddy" Beale had killed Fula, said in a 2017 interview that Beale had called the shooting accidental and turned himself in to police, and claimed he served "7 or 8 years" in prison.[8] Fula's mother responded that his death was intentional as Beale had threatened Fula beforehand, and claimed that Beale's family had also threatened witnesses.[9]

Discography

Solo albums

  • Son Rize Vol. 1 (2004)

Collaboration albums

Guest appearances

See also

References

  1. ↑ "THE WRATH OF A MOTHER: YAASMYN FULA NEVER FORGAVE NAPOLEON FOR THE DEATH OF KADAFI". March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Yafeu Akiyele 'Yaki Kadafi' Fula was Tupac's Godbrother". Capital XTRA. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  3. ↑ "TUPAC'S DRAMACYDAL RAP GROUP RECORDED THIS SONG FIRST". July 30, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  4. ↑ "WHY TUPAC NAMED THE OUTLAWZ AFTER ENEMIES OF THE UNITED STATES". November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  5. ↑ "THE LIFE & DEATH OF YAKI KADAFI (YAFEU A. FULA)". December 6, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Witness to Rapper's killing is shot dead". Los Angeles Times. November 14, 1996. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  7. ↑ Scott, Cathy (November 13, 1996). "Shakur shooting witness found dead in N.J." Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Napoleon (Outlawz) on his Cousin Accidentally Killing Kadafi". YouTube. DJ Vlad. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Kadafi's Mom Responds to Outlawz' VladTV Interview on Her Son's Death". VladTV. August 2, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
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