A night meant to celebrate new music turned deadly when a drive-by shooting tore through Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz’s album release party, claiming the life of her boyfriend and three others while injuring 14 more. The tragedy unfolded on July 2, 2025, around 11:00 PM outside the Artis Lounge nightclub in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, leaving the local music community in shock and mourning.
The event was held to launch Mello Buckzz’s latest album, Hollyhood, a milestone moment for the rising Chicago rapper known for her raw lyricism and ties to artists like G Herbo. As the party wound down, a black SUV rolled up to the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue. Three shooters inside the vehicle opened fire on the crowd gathered outside, unleashing chaos in seconds. Witnesses described a scene of panic, with screams piercing the air and blood staining the streets. A video circulating online captured the chilling moment a vehicle passed by just before gunfire erupted, confirming the drive-by nature of the attack.
The shooting left four people dead, including Mello Buckzz’s boyfriend, local rapper DooWop, her brother, and two close friends. DooWop was struck in the chest and head, succumbed to his injuries despite efforts to save him. The 14 injured victims, ranging in age from 21 to 32, included 13 women and 5 men. Some were rushed to Northwestern Hospital and John H. Stroger Hospital, with at least three in critical condition suffering wounds to the back, leg, and mouth. The sheer scale of the violence—18 victims in total—has left the city grappling with yet another devastating act of gun violence.
Mello Buckzz, who survived the attack, took to Instagram to share her heartbreak, revealing the depth of her bond with DooWop.
“We was having so much fun in our private little life, couldn’t leave each other alone glued to my hip everyday its not a night we aint spend together,”
She wrote in a raw, emotional post.
“Im so fucking angry u was woke i held yo hand until i couldnt u talked to me clearly ion get it boo im fucked up.”
She also mourned her brother and a close friend, adding,
“Damn shorty my mfn dog my brotherrrr … I can’t believe I lost both y’all in one night.”
Her posts, accompanied by photos and videos of DooWop, painted a picture of a tight-knit relationship shattered by senseless violence.
The Chicago Police Department is actively investigating, but as of July 3, 2025, no suspects have been arrested, and the motive remains unclear. The Artis Lounge, a popular nightlife spot, has faced scrutiny before, with a previous shooting in 2022 at the same location raising questions about venue safety. Community leaders and residents are now calling for answers and action to curb the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence.
Mello Buckzz, a Chicago native whose music, like “Computer Murders,” has racked up millions of streams on Spotify and YouTube, is known for keeping her personal life private. This public outpouring of grief underscores the profound impact of the tragedy. The Hollyhood album, meant to mark a high point in her career, is now overshadowed by loss, with little information available about its content or official release details.
