Died On This Date (April 20, 2008) VL Mike / New Orleans Rapper
themusicsover VL Mike (Born Michael Allen)
January 19, 1976 – April 20, 2008
VL Mike was an up-and-coming rap star from New Orleans. A so-called “gangsta” rapper, he was part of Chopper City Boyz whose debut was released in 2007. VL Mike soon left the group after apparently being at odds with the head of his label. He was set to release his solo debut in April of 2008 when he was shot and killed. His killer has yet to be caught.
What You Should Own
Hutch Carlock was a longtime music wholesaler and retailer based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1953, Carlock invested $500 to start Music City Record Distributors which eventually became one of the largest music and video wholesalers in United States. In those early years, he distributed such labels as Atlantic and Mercury, but when the labels evolved into their own distribution companies during the ’70s, MCRD became a wholesaler. In 1974, Carlock opened the first Cat’s Music store which would become one of the most successful music and video chains in Tennessee with upwards of 30 stores. Carlock was all but retired from the business by the early ’90s, with his sons taking over the company. Most of the stores have since closed due to the downturn in music retail. Hutch Carlock was 86 when he died of heart failure on April 20, 2010.
Guru was a popular rapper/MC who gained popularity during the early ’90s with Gang Starr. A duo formed with DJ Premier in 1987, Gang Starr signed with EMI Records who released their debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, in 1989. The group’s effective used of New York swing jazz and hip hop endeared them to fans and critics alike. In 1993, Guru released the brilliant Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 album where he introduced a live jazz band into the hip hop arena. Guests on the album included Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers. Guru had been actively recording and performing up until the time of his death. On February 28, 2010, he suffered a heart attack which resulted in a coma that he eventually awoke from. On April 19th however, he died of cancer at the age of 43.
Earl Bolick was one of bluegrass’s senior class when he passed away in 1998. He and his brother 