ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Young Scooter" hosted by DJButterrock Kenneth Edward Rashad Bailey (March 28, 1986 – March 28, 2025), better known by his stage name Young Scooter, was an American rapper.[1][2][3] He was one of the first acts to sign with fellow Atlanta rapper Future's record label, Freebandz, in 2012. In 2013, he jointly signed with Waka Flocka Flame's Brick Squad Monopoly, an imprint of Gucci Mane's 1017 Records.[4][5] He is known for his mixtape Street Lottery (2012) and its lead single, "Colombia".[6] His guest appearance on Future and Juice Wrld's 2018 song "Jet Lag" marked his sole entry on the Billboard Hot 100.[7]
Early life and career
Kenneth Edward Rashad Bailey was born on March 28, 1986 in Walterboro, South Carolina.[8] When he was nine, his family moved Atlanta, Georgia, settling in Kirkwood (also known as "Lil Mexico"). Scooter was a childhood friend with fellow Atlanta rapper Future, and decided to pursue a career in music after being charged with drug trafficking in 2008.[9][10]
While his first mixtape Plug Talkin did not receive much attention, with his second release Finessin and Flexin' he made a name for himself, already collaborating with Future.[5]
Scooter's real breakthrough came in January 2013, when he released his mixtape Street Lottery. SPIN named it "Rap release of the week"[11] and XXL featured it on its "Best mixtapes of January" list.[12] Eric Diep of XXL called Scooter "one of the hottest street rappers coming out of Atlanta" and wrote that tracks like the single "Colombia" and "Street Lottery" (featuring Bun B) are "proof of his undeniable talent".[12] The tape was also a viral success gaining over 100,000 downloads on DatPiff.[6]
The official video for "Colombia", directed by Decatur Dan, premiered on MTV on January 31. The song became a hit in the south, especially in Scooter's hometown Atlanta.[3] Brandon Soderberg of SPIN classified it as a mix of Rick Ross' "Hustlin'" and Future's "Tony Montana".[11] By the end of the month, an official remix with rappers Rick Ross, Birdman and Gucci Mane was released.[13] Lil Wayne also covered the song for his mixtape Dedication 5.[14] The rapper's recent success prompted OnSmash to state "the buzz for Scooter is at an all-time high."[15]
Musical style
Scooter was known for his freestyle type of rapping, without writing down his lyrics, similarly to Gucci Mane. He defined his style as "count music", and explained it in an interview with Complex: "I don't really care what I say on a beat as long as it's about some money. When you try to think hard and write it out, that's when it's gonna be fucked up."[5]
Scooter's lyrical themes were largely about money and drugs. David Drake of Complex compared his "populist, kingpin rapping" to that of Young Jeezy, although he noted that Scooter doesn't have the "all-encompassing grandiosity" of his fellow Atlanta rapper.[5]
Scooter listed his influences as Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Sean Combs.[9]
Legal issues
On April 8, 2013, Bailey was arrested for probation violation during a traffic stop in DeKalb County, Georgia.[16] According to HipHopDX, Bailey shared a jail cell with frequent collaborator Gucci Mane, who was arrested for probation violation on April 12, 2013.[17] Bailey spent six months in custody before being released in mid-October 2013.[18] On March 2, 2015, he was released off probation.[19]
Death
Bailey died on March 28, 2025, his 39th birthday, in Atlanta, Georgia, while attempting to flee from the Atlanta Police Department. Authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a dispute involving gunfire and a woman whom Bailey had forcibly brought back into a house. Once officers arrived, Bailey and another man fled. While trying to escape, Bailey accidentally penetrated his thigh and severed his femoral artery after jumping over two fences. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later died. The cause of death was exsanguination as a result of the injury.[20][21][22]
