The recent loss of LGP Qua, a 24-year-old Philadelphia rapper whose raw freestyles gave voice to a generation, has left fans and the community reeling. Qidere Johnson, known as LGP Qua, was fatally shot in his hometown on May 11, 2025, silencing a talent who used his art to fight the very violence that claimed his life. His death, on Mother’s Day, has sparked grief and questions about the relentless gun violence plaguing Philadelphia.
The shooting happened just before 4:40 p.m. in the Juniata Park neighborhood, on the 1400 block of East Luzerne Street. Qua was struck in the chest and rushed to Temple University Hospital in a private vehicle. Still, he was pronounced dead shortly before 5 p.m. Philadelphia police are investigating, but the shooter remains unidentified, and no arrests have been made. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction, with tips encouraged at 215 686 8477. The motive is unclear, leaving the community searching for answers.
LGP Qua, born in 1999 in North Philadelphia, rose to fame with freestyles that captured the struggles of his city. His lyrics, like those in a viral freestyle shared widely online, painted a vivid picture of life in Philly:
“Philly, Philly, Philly, that’s the place where I was born at /
On the north side, where the lights was never on at /
We window shopped before we really shopped /
We can’t afford that.”
He rapped about the city’s 300-plus murders, kids desensitized to violence, and a mother making breakfast for a son lost to the streets, ending with,
“I seen cops stand over niggas until they can’t breathe.”
These words, both poetry and protest, resonated deeply, earning him comparisons to a young Meek Mill.
His music wasn’t just art; it was activism. After a 2016 weapons charge at age 17, Qua turned to music to transform his life. He visited schools, mentored kids, and partnered with brands like Foot Locker to distribute nearly 1,000 pairs of sneakers to students. Local leaders praised his efforts, including Philadelphia Councilwoman Cindy Bass and Senator Sharif Street. His 2017 freestyle during Meek Mill’s legal troubles went viral, catching the attention of rap icons like Snoop Dogg, Nas, and will.i.am, with whom he collaborated on the track “Insomniac (Woke).” Tracks like “Dear Qua” (2019), built from letters by Philly teens, and “Ruthless” (2018) with Zah Sosaa cemented his role as the “Voice of the Youth.”
Despite his positive impact, questions linger about his past. The 2016 weapons charge is the only known legal issue, and there’s no evidence tying Qua to gang activity. His music critiqued the street life without glorifying it, focusing on systemic issues like poverty and violence. Fans and community members, shocked by his death, point to his anti-violence stance, with one X user lamenting,
“How Philly kill someone who raps about positivity?”
The investigation remains open, with police urging the public to come forward. Qua’s death has reignited conversations about gun violence in Philadelphia, a city he loved and sought to uplift. His 2020 Hot 97 freestyle and 2022 mixtape Grave Yard City showcased his lyrical prowess, but his legacy extends beyond music. He was a mentor, a beacon of hope, and a storyteller for North Philly’s youth.
Social media is flooded with tributes, from fans sharing his freestyles to Meek Mill posting on Instagram,
“Killing ambitious young bulls like this on Mother’s Day is a Philly type of thing smfh.”
The irony stings: an artist who rapped about a mother’s grief was taken on a day meant to celebrate them. As Philadelphia mourns, LGP Qua’s words echo, a reminder of the change he championed and the work left undone.
