PnB Rock, a Philadelphia-based rapper best known for his hit singles “Fleek” and “Selfish,” was fatally shot during a robbery in South Los Angeles Monday, authorities confirmed.
The rapper, whose real name was Rakim Hasheem Allen, was dining with his girlfriend at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles at 106 W. Manchester Ave. around 1 p.m. when the shooting occurred, TMZ first reported.
The musician’s girlfriend posted a photo of her food at Roscoe’s and tagged the restaurant minutes before the attack, according to multiple reports.
In a video shared on social media, a witness claims the robbery was related to jewelry, a motive the Los Angeles Times also reported, as the unidentified shooter reportedly took all of the rapper’s jewelry before fleeing the scene.
Graphic video shared by TMZ showed Allen lying in a pool of blood inside the restaurant. He was pronounced dead around 2 p.m.
No one else in the restaurant was injured.
“It is a bold crime and it’s tragic that two people come to eat and enjoy their meal, and they’re get robbed while patronizing a restaurant,” said Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Kelly Muniz.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the restaurant chain mourned the rapper’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Rakim Hasheem Allen, (also known as PnB Rock), an incredible artist in Los Angeles and everywhere,” the post said. “His passing represents an enormous loss to each and every one of us. Our most heartfelt condolences, thoughts, and prayers go to the Allen family at this difficult time. The safety of our employees and guests are our utmost priority. We have and will continue to keep our place of business as safe as possible.”
No information has been released about the shooter.
The social media aspect of PnB Rock’s killing has drawn comparisons to the 2020 slaying of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke, who collaborated with PnB Rock on the songs “Backseat” and “Like Me.”
Pop Smoke is believed to have shared on social media the location of the Hollywood Hills home in which he was staying prior to the shooting that killed him.
“After Pop Smoke there’s no way we as rappers or our loved ones are still posting locations to our whereabouts. To show waffles & some fried chicken????! He was such a pleasure to work with. Condolences to his mom & family. This makes me feel so sick. Jesus,” Nicki Minaj posted on Twitter.
In the days before his death, PnB Rock had made clear he understood the dangers faced by rappers.
He spoke about robberies in Los Angeles with prominent hip-hop podcast host DJ Akademiks in an episode posted 10 days ago, where he revealed a near robbery in L.A. when he was with his girlfriend and child.
“I never got robbed. Never in my life. I ain’t gon’ say never because I don’t like saying never… I’m not superstitious or nothing like that… but I haven’t been robbed,” he said.
PnB Rock, who was named to the XXL Freshman Class of 2017, is best known for 2015’s “Fleek” and 2016’s “Selfish,” which reached No. 51 on the Billboard chart.
He also recorded the hits “Gang Up” with Young Thug, 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa, and “Horses” with Kodak Black and A Boogie wit da Hoodie.