Tennessee Man Testifies He and Another Shot Rapper Young Dolph After Hit Ordered by Yo Gotti’s Brother

A chilling new revelation has emerged in the Young Dolph murder trial as Cornelius Smith, a key figure in the killing, testified that he and another man, Justin Johnson, were hired to kill the rapper on orders from Big Jook, the brother of fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti. Smith’s confession on Monday provided the most detailed account yet of the November 2021 shooting that ended the life of the chart-topping artist, born Adolph Thornton Jr. As the trial continues, prosecutors are uncovering a tangled web of revenge, rivalry, and music industry feuds that led to this high-profile murder.

Rivalry Between Young Dolph and Yo Gotti

Young Dolph’s murder stemmed from an escalating beef with Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group (CMG), formerly known as Cocaine Muzik Group. Young Dolph had refused an offer to work with Yo Gotti’s label, choosing instead to launch his own imprint, Paper Route Empire, and gain success independently. Tensions between the two rappers flared, with Young Dolph releasing diss tracks targeting CMG and its affiliates, including Big Jook—Yo Gotti’s brother. This public hostility deepened the feud, which had already been marked by multiple assassination attempts on Young Dolph’s life.

The Night of the Shooting: New Testimony

During the opening day of Justin Johnson’s murder trial, Cornelius Smith took the stand to offer a firsthand account of the murder. Smith testified that on November 17, 2021, he and Johnson followed Young Dolph to Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, a Memphis-based cookie store where Dolph was a regular customer. Video surveillance captured two men, now identified by Smith as himself and Johnson, exiting a white Mercedes shortly after Young Dolph entered the shop. Seconds later, they opened fire, killing the rapper in broad daylight.

Smith’s admission was one of the most damning pieces of evidence yet in the case, but the defense argued that Smith’s statements were motivated by a desire to save himself. Luke Evans, Johnson’s attorney, urged jurors not to trust Smith, emphasizing that Johnson’s involvement in the crime was far from proven despite visual similarities between his client and one of the assailants seen in the video footage.

Big Jook’s Alleged Role in the Murder Plot

The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman, laid out their case, suggesting that Big Jook—real name Anthony Mims—was the mastermind behind the hit on Young Dolph. According to Smith’s testimony, Big Jook had placed a bounty on the rapper’s head, orchestrating the assassination as a final resolution to the long-standing rivalry between the two music labels.

Smith testified that in the months leading up to his arrest, he had been paid only $800, while an additional $50,000 payment was sent to his lawyer, allegedly by Big Jook. The revelation painted a picture of a cold, transactional killing where financial motivations and the promise of loyalty to a powerful music industry figure overshadowed the human consequences of the murder.

The Aftermath of the Shooting

Smith also described the immediate aftermath of the shooting, revealing that he was shot in the arm and leg by Young Dolph’s brother, Marcus Thornton, who was present during the attack. Smith and Johnson fled the scene as Young Dolph’s lifeless body lay inside the cookie store. While Johnson is on trial for murder, Smith also faces charges of murder and conspiracy but is cooperating with authorities in hopes of receiving a reduced sentence.

Smith’s demeanor on the stand was striking; when asked how he felt after shooting Young Dolph, he responded with chilling indifference. “I wasn’t feeling nothing at the time. I’m not gonna lie. I was trying to get some money,” he said. His statements underscored the brutal nature of the crime, which had been carried out for financial gain rather than personal animosity.

Young Dolph’s Legacy in the Rap Industry

As the courtroom grappled with the grim details of the murder, it was impossible to ignore the legacy that Young Dolph left behind. Born in Chicago but raised in Memphis, Dolph built a career on perseverance, self-reliance, and authenticity. He started with underground mixtapes, gaining regional recognition before breaking into the national spotlight with his 2016 debut studio album, King of Memphis.

Dolph’s music was unapologetically raw, often drawing from personal experiences in his lyrics. His song 100 Shots, inspired by a 2017 assassination attempt, became one of his defining tracks, embodying the resilience he often portrayed in his music. In February 2017, his SUV was sprayed with over 100 bullets in Charlotte, North Carolina, but Dolph walked away unscathed thanks to the bulletproof armor installed in his vehicle. The attempt on his life only added to his mythology in the rap world.

Young Dolph’s discography includes multiple Billboard 200 Top 10 albums, including Rich Slave (2020), which peaked at No. 4 on the chart. His impact extended beyond his own music, as he mentored emerging talent under his Paper Route Empire label, including the successful rapper Key Glock.

Continuing Legal Proceedings and Guilt By Association

The trial of Justin Johnson is only one part of the broader legal proceedings linked to Young Dolph’s murder. Jermarcus Johnson, Justin Johnson’s half-brother, pleaded guilty in June 2023 to multiple charges of accessory after the fact. Jermarcus admitted to helping both suspects evade law enforcement by facilitating communications through burner phones and assisting with logistics as they attempted to flee authorities.

The legal process will soon turn its attention to Hernandez Govan, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of organizing the murder. Prosecutors believe Govan played a significant role in the planning of Young Dolph’s death, but he has continued to deny any involvement.

The Shooting of Big Jook and Its Implications

In a twist of fate, Big Jook himself became the victim of gun violence earlier this year. In January 2024, he was shot and killed outside a restaurant in Memphis, bringing a violent end to a figure who had long been associated with the city’s underground crime and music scene. While the details surrounding Big Jook’s murder remain unclear, some have speculated that it may be linked to his alleged involvement in Young Dolph’s assassination, as revenge killings often follow high-profile gang-related murders in the music industry.

Big Jook’s death adds another layer of tragedy and complexity to this ongoing saga, highlighting the dangerous intersection of gang culture, the music industry, and street justice. As the trials continue, the legacy of Young Dolph, and the vendetta that led to his murder, looms large over Memphis.

Conclusion

The Young Dolph murder trial has brought to light the dark side of the rap industry, where success and violence can become tragically intertwined. Cornelius Smith’s testimony has provided a detailed account of how the killing was orchestrated, painting a grim picture of greed, revenge, and betrayal. However, as the defense fights to poke holes in the prosecution’s narrative, the full truth of what happened on that fateful day in November 2021 is still being contested in the courtroom.

Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, Young Dolph’s influence in the world of hip-hop continues to resonate. His independent spirit, chart-topping albums, and dedication to his community ensure that his legacy will not soon be forgotten. As the legal proceedings unfold, one can only hope that justice is served, and that the cycle of violence that has claimed so many lives in Memphis and beyond will one day come to an end.