Yaki Kadafi

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

Yaki Kadafi
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
Occupation(s)Rapper
Years active1994–1996
LabelsHavenotz, Cold Flo, 1 Nation
Associated acts2Pac, Hussein Fatal, Outlawz, Tha Dogg Pound, Nate Dogg, O.F.T.B., Snoop Dogg, Boot Camp Clik

Early life and education

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.

Kadafi's parents were both members of the Black Panther Party. 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 has two daughters with his pregnant girlfriend at the time born in the April 1997 respectively

Career

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

In 1995, upon Tupac's release from prison, Kadafi met with him to sign with Death Row. He guest-starred on Tupac's All Eyez on Me and featured on three songs. 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".

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.[1]

Death

Kadafi was shot and killed in Orange, New Jersey, on November 10, 1996, not quite two months after Tupac's death. Police found his body in the hallway of a friend's apartment building while responding to a report of gunfire.[2] The friend, Roddy Beale, told his cousin Napoleon that he had accidentally shot Kadafi; he turned himself in to police and served "7 or 8 years" in prison.[3] Kadafi's mother responded that it was not an accident, that Beale had threatened her son and that his family had since threatened witnesses napoleon denies this. Roddy is currently back in prison serving another sentence unrelated [4] Kadafi is buried at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield.

Discography

Solo albums
  • Son Rize Vol. 1 (2004)

Collaboration albums

Guest appearances

See also

References
  1. "Witness to Rapper's killing is shot dead". Los Angeles Times. November 14, 1996. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  2. Scott, Cathy (November 13, 1996). "Shakur shooting witness found dead in N.J." Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  3. "Napoleon (Outlawz) on his Cousin Accidentally Killing Kadafi". YouTube. DJ Vlad. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  4. "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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