P&B Rock’s death in 2022 was a blow to the rap game, but the intricate details of the crime left everyone stunned.
On September 12th, 2022, P&B Rock and his fiancée, Stephanie, were in Los Angeles for business and a wedding. They decided to grab lunch at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, a popular spot but located in a risky area. Both had a bad feeling, but they went in regardless. Stephanie even suggested P&B Rock leave his jewelry in the car, but he refused.
Inside, they ordered food, and P&B Rock greeted a man named Traymont Jones. Unbeknownst to him, Jones would be the one to set him up. Soon after, Stephanie posted a photo of their meal on Instagram. Moments later, a masked man approached them with a gun, demanding P&B Rock’s jewelry. The event turned violent quickly. The shooter not only threatened Stephanie’s life but also shot P&B Rock multiple times when he tried to comply. Despite being wounded, P&B Rock’s last act was to protect Stephanie by pushing her under the table.
The tragedy didn’t end there. Security cameras revealed that the shooter, only 17 years old, was the son of Freddy Trone, the orchestrator of the crime. After the shooting, the son fled, and Freddy was caught on camera burning evidence and fleeing to Las Vegas with a woman who was later charged as an accessory. Freddy’s wife, Shantel, also faced charges after admitting to helping clean jewelry linked to the crime.
Freddy Trone and Traymont Jones were found guilty of murder and conspiracy, while the shooter was deemed not competent to stand trial due to his age. However, the tragedy of P&B Rock’s last days highlighted the constant danger that rappers face, even when trying to live a better life.
P&B Rock grew up in a tough neighborhood in Philadelphia and endured numerous hardships. He lost his brother to violence and had his share of legal issues before finding success in the music industry. Despite his mainstream success, he couldn’t escape the dangers that followed him.
This devastating event has led to broader discussions about the risks rappers face, especially when flaunting wealth. Even high-profile artists like Fat Joe and French Montana have highlighted the precariousness of their lives. Fat Joe lamented the unnecessary violence, pointing out that theft didn’t need to end in murder. Meanwhile, French Montana revealed that record labels often take life insurance policies on rappers, indicating a grim expectation of their mortality.
The crime also sparked a social media firestorm, with individuals like Nicki Minaj and Kodak Black initially blaming Stephanie for posting their location. However, it was later confirmed that the crime was premeditated, and her post had no effect on the incident. The apologies from Nicki and Kodak came too late to quell the initial backlash.
P&B Rock’s tragic end is a sobering reminder of the dangers in the rap game. Despite trying to rise above his past and give back to his community, he fell victim to a cruel setup. His story serves as a lesson for other artists about the risks they face and the need for greater caution and protection.
P&B Rock’s untimely death underscores the harsh realities of fame in the rap world. His story is a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the lifestyle and the need for self-awareness and caution. Rest in peace, P&B Rock.
