Brooklyn, New York, rapper KJ Balla was shot and killed late Friday night. According to a police report, cops responded to a 911 call for a man shot in front of 656 Bradford street in Brooklyn around 9:15 p.m. local time. The 23-year-old rapper, whose real name is Kennedy Noel, had been shot once in the torso. He was transferred to Brookdale Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
According to the report, a 26-year-old unnamed man was also shot at the same location. He is currently at the hospital in stable condition being treated for gunshot wounds to the abdomen, back and arm.
Police stated, “There are no arrests at this time and the investigation is ongoing.”
An artist for From Nothing Records, KJ Balla was known for his two singles, “Switch the Game” and “Strangers.” Each song has been streamed on Spotify over 80,000 times. In 2017, KJ Balla came out with a music video for his song “Cookin’ Up” and it has garnered over 1.7 million views on YouTube.
KJ Balla’s Friends Posted Tributes to the Rapper on Social Media
Rapper J.I. posted a tribute to KJ Balla on Instagram. He wrote, “Damnn Makk. we first chopped it up in 2018. Showed me mad love and this was before shit had taken off for me. I remember I was trynna put you on ‘Love Won’t Change’ before I had dropped it.”
KJ Balla’s friend and fellow From Nothing Records artist Deezy Mula posted to his Instagram Story a photo of the two together with the caption “I love you bro, forever [KJ Balla].”
Another friend, Yeye Kelly, posted on Facebook, “MY F**KING GUY MY HEART HURTIN RN. He also posted a shared a photo of himself and KJ Balla saying “I LOVE YOU TO DEATH BRO.”
Rapper Elz Tay wrote on Facebook, “We really came from along way dancing on the L train for money now we getting real money Rest in Peace Brother.” He also posted an image of himself and KJ Balla together:
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Fans Flooded KJ Balla’s Instagram With ‘RIP’ Tributes
After the news of KJ Balla’s death broke, fans flooded the rapper’s Instagram page with their tributes.
The last time KJ Balla posted to his Instagram feed was on April 22. He was promoting his new song with Jay Gwuapo titled “Back to Back.” Because it was the rapper’s last post, fans flooded the comment section early Monday morning.
The above Instagram post has over 60,000 comments with countless fans writing “RIP.” One user wrote, “This just not fair.” Another said, “Bro, please tell me it’s not true.” A fan wrote, “You were just getting started why did you have to leave us so soon.”
Twitter Users Also Wrote Tributes to the Brooklyn Rapper
After KJ Balla’s death was shared on social media, Twitter users posted tributes to the Brooklyn rapper. One user posted:
r.i.p to kj balla so sad seeing all these young artist pass away condolences to his friends and family
They said, “r.i.p to kj balla so sad seeing all these young artist pass away condolences to his friends and family.”
I come back from making beats and KJ Balla and Hana Kimura die. Real crazy shit 2020 a cold one. Can’t really have words or emotion to put. RIP
Another user said, “I come back from making beats and KJ Balla and Hana Kimura die. Real crazy shit 2020 a cold one. Can’t really have words or emotion to put. RIP.”
Another user wrote, “damn, I remember when kj balla was k smoove, used to get lite, always watched his battles on YouTube, this s**t sad asf smh.”
R.I.P to that man KJ Balla shits crazy I was just listening to him earlier the good die young smfh ‼️
One user wrote, “R.I.P to that man KJ Balla s**ts crazy I was just listening to him earlier the good die young smfh.”
Wow now Kj Balla.. pray for Brooklyn
Another user wrote, “Wow now Kj Balla.. pray for Brooklyn.”
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