In a case that has gripped Jacksonville and gained national attention, Florida rapper Yungeen Ace has publicly revealed the deep financial and emotional toll of supporting his longtime friend and collaborator, Hakeem “Ksoo” Robinson. Ace, born Keyanta Tyrone Bullard, stated in a July 25 livestream that he had “went broke” paying for Ksoo’s legal defense in the ongoing murder trial that could put Robinson behind bars for life.
“I did everything I could for him,”
Ace told fans.
“I paid for the lawyers, I paid for everything. I ain’t got nothing left.”
While Ace’s statement has circulated widely on social media, no financial records have been made public to independently confirm the extent of his losses.
Ksoo, 26, is on trial for the January 15, 2020, shooting death of Charles “Lil Buck” McCormick Jr. outside a staffing agency at Dames Pointe Plaza in Jacksonville, Florida. He is being tried alongside his cousin, Leroy Whitaker, 24. Separate proceedings are scheduled for his brother, Abdul Robinson Jr.
Prosecutors allege the killing was an act of retaliation linked to gang conflicts and diss tracks traded between rival rap groups. The state’s case has been bolstered by testimony from Dominique “Butta” Barner, the driver on the day of the shooting, who took a plea deal in exchange for cooperation. Barner testified that Ksoo planned and executed the attack.
Further complicating the case, Ksoo’s father, Abdul Robinson Sr., testified against his son after accepting a plea deal that reduced his own potential 60-year sentence to 20 years. Prosecutors presented dashcam footage in which Robinson Sr. claimed to identify his son as the shooter. Forensic evidence, including fingerprints on a gun found in a stolen car, has also been entered into evidence.
The defense, led by attorney Tara Kawass, has challenged the reliability of the state’s case, arguing that rap lyrics and social media posts have been misinterpreted as confessions. Eyewitnesses described the shooter as 5’8″ and slender; Ksoo is over six feet tall.
Yungeen Ace has been a steadfast supporter of Ksoo since his arrest, reportedly covering hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. According to a 2016 RAND study, murder defense cases in the United States can cost $22,000–$44,000, but high-profile trials like Ksoo’s can run far higher.
“I was paying for lawyers, for funerals, everything,”
Ace said.
“I can’t keep carrying it by myself.”
In December 2024, Ace dissolved the ATK (Ace’s Top Killers) collective, which he co-founded with Ksoo, citing a lack of support from other members.
“I felt like I was the only one paying for everything,”
he said at the time.
The trial has also reignited debate over whether rap lyrics should be admissible as evidence. Prosecutors have pointed to Ksoo’s lyrics and social media activity as evidence of motive, while the defense argues that his music is fictional storytelling and protected artistic expression. Civil liberties advocates have long warned that conflating lyrics with criminal intent can unfairly target Black artists.
The testimony of Abdul Robinson Sr. against his son has sent shockwaves through the Jacksonville community.
“It’s heartbreaking,”
one supporter said outside the Duval County courthouse.
“Family is supposed to stick together.”
Others argue that Robinson Sr. acted out of self-preservation.
A tweet from X.
Within the rap community, Yungeen Ace’s financial disclosure has drawn mixed reactions. Some fans praised his loyalty; others questioned the wisdom of depleting his finances, especially with a baby on the way.
As of July 30, 2025, the prosecution has rested its case, and the defense is calling witnesses, including forensic experts and law enforcement officers. Closing arguments are expected in the coming days, with a verdict possible soon after.
