Drakeo the Ruler

Early life Caldwell was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, California, by a single mother. He attended Washington High School in nearby Westmont.

He released his second project, I Am Mr. Mosely 2, on July 21, 2016, with features including Mozzy, Skeme, and Philthy Rich. He followed this up with the release of So Cold I Do Em in December.

After his jail release in November 2017, he recorded a 16-track mixtape, Cold Devil, in 10 days, and released it the following month. Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork described it as "the most compelling album of the Los Angeles emcee's career", adding that his "avant deadpan and impressionistic relationship to the beat" is "icy and unforgettable". Similarly, Grant Rindner of Complex called it "one of the most impressive California rap projects in years". He released music videos for "Flu Flamming", "Big Banc Uchies", and "Out the Slums" within a month. "Flu Flamming" was also notably remixed by Lil Yachty, and "Big Banc Uchies" by Shy Glizzy. The music video for "Roll Bounce" was released in September, with Drakeo in jail awaiting trial.

The project, Thank You for Using GTL, was recorded from phone calls from jail, and released in June 2020.

Personal life Caldwell had one child, a son.

Legal issues In January 2017, Caldwell was arrested by the LAPD when they raided a condo where he regularly shot music videos. He was subsequently held at Men's Central Jail after being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He was released in November. He was facing life in prison. Simultaneously, members of his Stinc Team collective, including his brother Ralfy the Plug, were arrested in San Francisco on a variety of charges.

On July 25, 2019, he was acquitted of his murder and attempted murder charges in a Compton courthouse. However, the district attorney decided to refile charges of criminal gang conspiracy and shooting from a motor vehicle in August, two counts that resulted in a hung jury during his initial trial. His trial date was set for August 3, 2020. While incarcerated, he recorded Thank You for Using GTL, which Pitchfork called "likely the greatest rap album ever recorded from jail". He was released from jail in November 2020 following three years of incarceration after he accepted a deal from the District Attorney's office in which he pled guilty to shooting from a vehicle.

Death Caldwell was stabbed backstage at around 8:30p.m. on December 18, 2021, during the Once Upon a Time in LA festival. Initial eyewitness accounts reported that he was stabbed in the neck during an altercation; later, his mother Darrylene Corniel revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that Caldwell, his brother, and their entourage were attacked by "around 40, 60 men" in masks around the time of YG's arrival to the venue, and that Caldwell had been stabbed in the neck. Paramedics arrived at the scene at around 8:40p.m. and transported Caldwell to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Snoop Dogg, who was co-headlining along with 50 Cent, YG, and Ice Cube, cancelled their performance once they were made aware of the situation. The event itself was cancelled shortly afterward.

Caldwell was pronounced dead as a result of his stab wounds on December 19, 2021. As of December 21, 2021, the Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate his death as a homicide. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.

Aftermath and reactions Following the news of his death, Corniel stated she would be suing Live Nation in regard to Caldwell's murder, citing negligence from the venue and lax security measures from the staff.

Snoop Dogg posted a lengthy message on Instagram expressing his condolences to Caldwell's family, and that he had been in his dressing room preparing to perform when he was informed of the incident. He closed the statement with "I'm praying for peace in hip hop." Wiz Khalifa also called for peace in the music industry following the violent deaths of Caldwell and rapper Young Dolph.

Discography

Studio albums +TitleAlbum details The Truth Hurts Released: February 24, 2021 Released: September 30, 2022 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming The Undisputed Truth Released: December 1, 2024 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming

EPs +TitleEP details Out of Character Released: February 15, 2021 Label: Get Money Genre, Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes +TitleMixtape details I Am Mr. Mosely Released: October 2015 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming I Am Mr. Mosely 2 Released: December 2016 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming Cold Devil Released: March 2020 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming Thank You for Using GTL Released: June 2020 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming We Know the Truth Released: December 1, 2020 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming Because Y'all Asked Released: December 29, 2020 Label: EMPIRE Format: Digital download, streaming A Cold Day In Hell Released: April 19, 2021 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming Ain't That the Truth Released: July 16, 2021 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming So Cold I Do Em 2 Released: December 7, 2021 Label: Stinc Team Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles +TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum USBub. USR&B/HH CAN"Closer To My Dreams Freestyle" 2016 - - - "Big Banc Uchies" 2017 - - - Cold Devil"Flu Flamming" 2017 - - - Cold Devil"Out The Slums" 2017 - - - Cold Devil"Roll Bounce" 2017 - - - Cold Devil"For Real" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"We Know The Truth" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"20 Pieces" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Too Famous" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Fights Don't Matter" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Lil Boosie" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"In My Rear" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Captions" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Friday" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Polar Bear" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Mardi Gras" 2020 - - - We Know The Truth"Backflip or Sumn" 2020 - - - Because Yall Asked"GTA VI" 2020 - - - Because Yall Asked"Too Icey" 2021 - - - The Truth Hurts"It's Sum Shit On Me" 2021 - - - The Truth Hurts"RIP Deebo" 2021 - - - The Truth Hurts"Pow Right In The Kisser" 2021 - - - The Truth Hurts"10" 2021 - - - The Truth Hurts"Exclusive" 2021 - - - The Truth Hurts "Talk to Me" 20218 43 85 The Truth Hurts"Flu Flam A Opp" 2021 - - - Ain't That The Truth"Wok and Red" 2021 - - - Ain't That The Truth"Black Buttons" 2021 - - - Ain't That The Truth"Cookie Pack" 2021 - - - Ain't That The Truth"Ain't That The Truth" 2021 - - - Ain't That The Truth"Out On Bail Freestyle" 2021 - - - Non-album single"IngleWeird" 2021 - - - Non-album single"300 Raccs" 2021 - - - So Cold I Do Em 2"Stincs Run La" 2021 - - - So Cold I Do Em 2"Hundiddy Bop Bop" 2021 - - - So Cold I Do Em 2"Touchable Freestyle" 2021 - - - So Cold I Do Em 2"Shake Down" 2021 - - - So Cold I Do Em 2"Go Crazy" 2021 - - - So Cold I Do Em 2"Whole Lotta Ice" 2021 - - - So Cold I Do Em 2"Hang With The Opps" 2022 - - - Keep the Truth Alive"Just Retire" 2022 - - - A Cold Day In Hell (Deluxe)"Close That Backdoor" 2022 - - - A Cold Day In Hell (Deluxe)"Cold Day In Hell" 2022 - - - A Cold Day In Hell (Deluxe)