Foolio: The Jacksonville Rapper Who Survived Multiple Shootings

 

Foolio is a rapper from Jacksonville, Florida who has gained popularity for his drill music that often depicts the violent and tragic realities of his city. He is also known for his feuds with rival rappers, such as Yungeen Ace and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, which have resulted in several shootings and deaths.

Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones, was born on June 21, 1998. He started rapping at the age of 15, inspired by artists like Lil Wayne and Chief Keef. He released his first mixtape, 6Toven, in 2016, followed by other projects such as 6Toven 2, Never Wanted Fame, and Crooks. Some of his most popular songs include “Crooks”, “Reach The Top”, “Bibby Story”, and “When I See You”.

Foolio’s music reflects his experiences of growing up in a dangerous environment, where he witnessed and participated in gang violence. He has been shot multiple times in the past, and has lost many friends and family members to gun violence. He often pays tribute to his fallen associates in his songs, such as Jake Jhitt, Bibby, and Rod K. He also disses his enemies, such as Yungeen Ace and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who he accuses of being responsible for some of the murders.

Foolio’s most recent shooting occurred on October 7, 2023, when he was ambushed by unknown assailants while driving a black Dodge Challenger near the 3100 block of 18th Street W. in Jacksonville. He was shot in the foot and taken to U.F. Health Jacksonville with non-life-threatening injuries. He did not cooperate with the police and went live on his Instagram to mock his attackers for missing their shots.

Foolio is not new to controversy. He has been arrested several times for charges such as robbery, battery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He has also been involved in several beefs with other rappers, such as Yungeen Ace, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, FastMoney Goon, and SpotemGottem. He has released diss tracks such as “Dead Opps”, “Backstabbing”, and “When I See You”, which have sparked violent reactions from his rivals.

Foolio is one of the most prominent figures in the Jacksonville rap scene, which has been dubbed as the “murder capital of rap” by some media outlets. He has amassed a loyal fan base that supports his music and lifestyle. He has also collaborated with other artists such as Zaytoven, G Herbo, Soulja Boy, and NoCap. He is currently working on his next project, which he claims will be his best one yet.

How has Foolio’s music influenced the community in Jacksonville?

Foolio’s music has influenced the community in Jacksonville in both positive and negative ways. On one hand, Foolio’s music has given a voice to the young people who live in the harsh realities of the city, where violence, poverty, and crime are prevalent. He has also inspired many aspiring artists to pursue their dreams and express themselves through music. He has collaborated with other famous rappers and gained national recognition for his talent and style.

On the other hand, Foolio’s music has also contributed to the escalation of the feud between ATK and KTA, two rival rap groups that are involved in numerous shootings and murders. His music often disrespects and mocks the victims and their families, which fuels more anger and retaliation from the other side. His music also glorifies gun violence and gang culture, which may influence impressionable listeners to emulate his behavior and lifestyle. He has been arrested several times for various charges and has been shot multiple times in the past.

How has the city of Jacksonville responded to Foolio music?

The city of Jacksonville has responded to Foolio’s music in different ways. Some of the responses are:

• The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has a unit dedicated to watching the videos made by Foolio and other rappers who are involved in the feud between ATK and KTA, two rival rap groups that are linked to numerous shootings and murders. The police have arrested Foolio several times for various charges, such as robbery, battery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The police have also tried to question Foolio about some of the shootings he survived or witnessed, but he has not cooperated with them.
• The families of the murder victims who are mentioned or mocked in Foolio’s songs have expressed their pain and anger at his music. They have said that his music is disrespectful and hurtful, and that it reopens their wounds over and over again. Some of the mothers have reached out to YouTube, asking them to take down some of the videos, but they have not received any response.
• The general public has had mixed reactions to Foolio’s music. Some people have criticized his music for glorifying gun violence and gang culture, and for inciting more retaliation and bloodshed among the rival groups. Others have praised his music for being authentic and catchy, and for giving a voice to the young people who live in the harsh realities of the city. Foolio has gained a loyal fan base that supports his music and lifestyle, as well as national recognition and fame for his talent and style.

Has Foolio ever spoken out against violence in his music?

Foolio has not explicitly spoken out against violence in his music, but he has expressed some regret and remorse for his involvement in the feud between ATK and KTA, two rival rap groups that are linked to numerous shootings and murders. In an interview with VladTV in 2020, Foolio said that he wished he could end the beef with Yungeen Ace, the leader of ATK, but he felt that it was too late and too much had happened. He also said that he was tired of losing friends and family to gun violence, and that he wanted to focus on his music career and his daughter.

However, Foolio has also continued to release diss tracks and music videos that mock and disrespect his enemies and their deceased associates, such as “When I See You”, “Backstabbing”, and “Dead Opps”. He has also been shot multiple times in the past, most recently on October 7, 2023, when he was ambushed by unknown assailants while driving a black Dodge Challenger near the 3100 block of 18th Street W. in Jacksonville. He did not cooperate with the police and went live on his Instagram to taunt his attackers for missing their shots.

Therefore, it seems that Foolio has not fully renounced violence in his music, but rather has shown some signs of ambivalence and conflict. He may be aware of the consequences and costs of his lifestyle, but he may also feel trapped and pressured by his environment and his reputation. He may also use his music as a way to cope with his trauma and express his emotions.

How has Foolio music influenced other rappers from Jacksonville?

Foolio’s music has influenced other rappers from Jacksonville in various ways. Some of the possible influences are:

• Foolio’s music has inspired other rappers from Jacksonville to express their experiences of living in a violent and dangerous city, where they face constant threats and losses from rival gangs. His music has also given them a platform to showcase their talent and style, and to gain recognition and fame from local and national audiences.
• Foolio’s music has also provoked other rappers from Jacksonville to respond to his diss tracks and music videos, which often mock and disrespect their deceased associates and enemies. His music has sparked a feud between ATK and KTA, two rival rap groups that are involved in numerous shootings and murders. His music has also led to violent reactions from other rappers, such as Yungeen Ace, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, FastMoney Goon, SpotemGottem, and Tribal Young Brown.
• Foolio’s music has also challenged other rappers from Jacksonville to experiment with different genres and styles of music, such as drill, trap, and R&B. His music has shown his versatility and creativity, as he has remixed popular songs by artists like Fantasia, Chief Keef, and Young Thug. His music has also collaborated with other famous rappers and producers, such as Zaytoven, G Herbo, Soulja Boy, and NoCap.