Rapper Carlos “Shawty Lo” Walker died at age 40 in a fatal crash in the Atlanta area in the early hours of Wednesday, September 21, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The hip-hop artist was a member of the rap group D4L, which was best known for its 2005 hit “Laffy Taffy.” He also had several well-known solo tracks, including the 2008 song “Dey Know.” Listen to Walker during a radio interview in the clip above.
Walker’s official Twitter account confirmed the tragic news. “My brother has passed he is no longer here but his spirit, his kind heart, and his music will live on Long live Shawty Lo King of Bankhead,” the tweet read.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that police say the rapper’s Audi went over a guardrail, hit two trees and caught on fire. Walker was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, while two passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
While it was originally called a hit-and-run, “it has been confirmed now that it was a single car accident,” Fulton County police spokesperson Cpl. Maureen Smith told the Atlanta newspaper.
The “Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me” performer is survived by 11 children, whom he shares with 10 women.
