Gunfire tore through Baton Rouge in early April 2025 when NBA Ben10—known to his circle as MGNG2x—was struck in his hometown, sending shockwaves through the hip-hop community and reigniting scrutiny of the violence that has shadowed NBA YoungBoy’s Never Broke Again crew for years. The shooting, one of several violent episodes linked to the city’s rap scene in recent months, left fans and fellow artists demanding answers about what exactly went down—and who might be responsible.
[UPDATE: April 9, 2026 – 9:30 AM EST] — In a stunning new development, NBA Ben10 was shot again—this time in Houston, Texas. According to authorities, Ben10 and fellow rapper DeadEnd Ron were both struck inside Confessions restaurant in Houston’s Upper Kirby district on April 9, 2026. Houston Police Lieutenant R. Wilkins stated that the confrontation began when individuals attempted to take the suspect’s chains. During the ensuing fistfight, the suspect produced a pistol and fired randomly, striking both victims. Ben10 suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the torso; DeadEnd Ron was hit in his arms and lower extremities. Both were transported to local hospitals. Family members later reported that Ben10 had stabilized and was expected to recover.
Meanwhile, Baton Rouge has seen renewed grassroots efforts to curb violence affecting local musicians since the 2025 shooting. According to the Baton Rouge Mayor’s Office, a 12% decrease in violent incidents has been recorded in affected areas since the launch of community-based intervention programs—including free music production classes for teenagers, conflict resolution workshops, and a family support network for those impacted by gun violence.
Ben10’s connection to YoungBoy runs deeper than proximity—he’s been embedded in the Never Broke Again operation for years, a trusted affiliate in an orbit defined by loyalty and street-level credibility. That relationship has come at a cost. In December 2021, his cousin Marvin Batiste was killed in a drive-by shooting on westbound I-10 near Prairieville—an episode that deepened the fault line between the NBA crew and their rivals, the Bleedas, and contributed to the cycle of retaliation that friends say Ben10 has been trying to escape.
His legal record compounds the weight of his biography. Ben10 had barely been released from a 2022 incarceration when he was arrested again just six days later on gun and narcotics charges. The Advocate reported extensively on his history with law enforcement, including involvement in a 2016 drive-by shooting that added another layer to his reputation within the Baton Rouge rap ecosystem.
Despite his legal troubles, YoungBoy has continued releasing music and maintaining a massive social media presence. His July 2025 release from federal prison—after taking a plea deal on weapons charges—was met with an outpouring from fans who viewed it as a turning point. Whether that freedom extends to reshaping the environment around him—to protecting people like Ben10 from ending up like Marvin Batiste—remains the open question.
Related Articles: NBA YoungBoy Claims Industry Blackballed Him – The NBA YoungBoy angle on the Never Broke Again collective. Texas Rapper Cashout Ace Shares Vision After Headshot – Another Texas rapper facing violent incidents.
