Key Glock is mourning once again — and this time, it’s not just the loss of his cousin, Young Dolph, but what he sees as a loss of justice.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, a Memphis jury found Hernandez Govan, 45, not guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the 2021 killing of the beloved rapper. The verdict shocked many — especially Key Glock, who took to social media with a brief but powerful statement: “My city failed.”
Jurors deliberated for about three hours before clearing Govan of charges that prosecutors said tied him to orchestrating Dolph’s killing. Authorities accused Govan of recruiting two shooters and arranging a $100,000 hit that ended with Dolph — real name Adolph Thornton Jr. — being ambushed at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, one of his favorite local spots, on Nov. 17, 2021.
One of the gunmen, Cornelius Smith Jr., testified against Govan, claiming he was promised $10,000 for his role. But Govan’s defense attorney, Manny Arora, cast Smith as a “pathological liar” who was only trying to save himself. The jury ultimately sided with the defense.
For Key Glock, the ruling reopens old wounds. Dolph wasn’t just family — he was also his mentor and frequent collaborator. The two Memphis natives created music together, including their hit joint projects Dum and Dummer (2019) and Dum and Dummer 2 (2021).
Since Dolph’s death, Key Glock has honored him privately and publicly. At tribute concerts, he often wears a dolphin-shaped pendant and performs Dolph’s biggest songs, from “Preach” to “100 Shots,” in his memory.
The rapper has also been candid about the toll the loss has taken on him. In past interviews, he admitted that life hasn’t felt the same without his cousin.
Young Dolph’s death sent shockwaves through Memphis. He was just 36 when he was killed — and was in the city to hand out turkeys to families ahead of Thanksgiving, something he did every year. He was also known for donating to local schools and mentoring young artists in the community.
Fans and fellow artists saw him as more than just a rapper — he was a role model who built his career independently while giving back to the city that raised him.
While Govan is now a free man, the case isn’t over. One of the shooters, Justin Johnson, has already been sentenced to life in prison. Cornelius Smith Jr., who testified against Govan, is still awaiting trial.
Still, for Key Glock and many others close to Dolph, the acquittal feels like a painful setback in the fight for justice.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said after the verdict:
“We have to respect a jury’s decision even if we disagree with it.”
