Author: alaskaadmin

Rising Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz watched her album release party turn into a crime scene Tuesday night (July 2) when gunfire erupted outside Artis Lounge in downtown Chicago, leaving four people dead and more than a dozen wounded.

The shooting unfolded around 11 p.m. as crowds spilled into the street after the event.

According to police, a dark-colored vehicle pulled up, and one or more shooters opened fire into the crowd before speeding away. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not released any suspect descriptions.

Among the victims were two men, ages 24 and 25, and two women, NBC Chicago reported.

At least 14 others were injured, with three women in critical condition. Most of the victims were between 21 and 32 years old.

Sources told the outlet that Mello Buckzz lost both her boyfriend and her best friend in the attack.

The rapper took to her Instagram Stories in a series of raw posts expressing her heartbreak.

“My heart hurt so bad,” she wrote alongside a video of herself in a car with a man. In another clip, the pair danced playfully. “We was having so much fun,” she wrote. “We couldn’t leave each other alone.”

“im so f###### angry,” she added.

She also shared a photo with her friend, writing, “i can’t believe i lost both yall in 1 night.”

“i dont wish this typa pain on nobody,” she wrote. “Dam my f###### crew.”

Footage from the scene showed a heavy police presence, flashing lights and paramedics treating victims on the sidewalk.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are continuing to gather information.

This story is developing.

​AllHipHop

Mello Buckzz was celebrating a major career milestone when gunfire erupted outside her record release event in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, killing four and injuring 14 others late Wednesday night.

The shooting happened around 11 p.m. on July 2 outside Artis Lounge, where attendees were leaving the venue following the release party for her new project, HollyHOOD The Mixtape.

According to police, multiple suspects opened fire from a vehicle, targeting the crowd gathered outside.

Two men and two women were pronounced dead at the scene. At least four others remain hospitalized in critical or serious condition, authorities said. No arrests have been made, and investigators are still working to identify the shooters. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.

The Chicago Police Department confirmed they are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, but have not yet released descriptions of the suspects or the vehicle involved.

Shortly after the violence unfolded, Mello Buckzz took to Instagram to express her grief and disbelief.

“Prayers up for all my sisters god please wrap yo arms around every last one of them. we need u i need u ngl im f##### up ..feel like everything just weighing down on me…. All i can do is talk to god and pray,” she wrote.

Artis Lounge, the venue where the shooting occurred, issued a statement condemning the violence and reaffirming its mission to serve as a safe space for marginalized communities.

“Last night, an act of violence occurred within the vicinity of our restaurant—and it shook us deeply,” the statement read. “Artis was created as a safe space. A space where Black, Brown, Queer, and allied communities could gather, be celebrated, and feel at home in River North. We’ve always led with that mission. And what happened last night disrupted it in the most painful way.”

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The venue added that it is cooperating with law enforcement and taking additional steps to protect its patrons moving forward.

Mello Buckzz, a rising figure in Chicago’s drill scene, gained recognition with her viral singles “Boom” and “Boom Pt. 2,” the latter featuring Latto. She also appeared on G Herbo’s Strictly 4 My Fans 2 mixtape and joined Latto on stage at Coachella in 2023.

As of July 3, police have not announced any leads or suspects in the case.

​AllHipHop

Kesha threw her support behind Cassie after a New York jury found Diddy guilty of transporting women for prostitution but cleared him of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, including those tied to Cassie’s allegations.

The pop singer took to X shortly after the verdict, writing, “Cassie, I believe you. I love you. Your strength is a beacon for every survivor.”

Cassie, I believe you.
I love you.
Your strength is a beacon for every survivor.

— kesha (@KeshaRose) July 2, 2025

Kesha, who once referenced Combs in her 2010 hit “Tik Tok,” has since changed the lyric “feeling like P. Diddy” to “f**k P. Diddy” during live performances following the public surfacing of abuse claims in late 2023.

Diddy, 55, was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and two sex trafficking charges, one of which stemmed from Cassie’s lawsuit.

However, jurors convicted him on two counts of transporting women across state lines for prostitution based on accusations from Cassie and another former partner.

Aubrey O’Day, who rose to fame under Combs’ guidance on MTV’s Making the Band in 2005, also spoke out. On Instagram, she called the outcome “heartbreaking” and said, “My heart is with Cassie.

A woman who could’ve had a life and career free of fear and control. A woman who told her truth in a courtroom, only to have the world dissect her credibility instead of her courage.”

Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, testified over four days while pregnant, becoming a central witness in the trial.

Though she has not released a personal statement, her attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said she “initiated the criminal investigation into Mr. Combs by filing her lawsuit in late 2023” and helped lead to his conviction on the prostitution-related charges.

Diddy remains in custody and has been denied bail. His sentencing is scheduled for October 3.

​AllHipHop