The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Kenneth Edward Bailey, known professionally as Young Scooter, who tragically passed away on March 28, 2025—his 39th birthday.
A police report indicates that Bailey died from a leg injury sustained while fleeing officers. During the pursuit, he reportedly punctured an artery in his leg after jumping a fence. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Bailey was pronounced dead at Grady Marcus Trauma Center in Atlanta on Friday, having been transported there by Emergency Medical Services from a location in southeast Atlanta.
His son, KB, confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media with an emotional tribute:
“Damn my best friend gone. Happy birthday too… I know exactly what to do fasho tho. You know I got my sisters and brothers they overly good yo son a hustla just like you. Watch this.”
Born on March 28, 1986, in Walterboro, South Carolina, Bailey relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, during his youth. He embarked on his music career in 2008, quickly gaining recognition for his distinctive freestyle approach and lyrical focus on themes of street life and economic struggle. In 2012, he became one of the inaugural artists to sign with fellow Atlanta rapper Future’s record label, Freebandz. The following year, he expanded his affiliations by signing with Waka Flocka Flame’s Brick Squad Monopoly, an imprint of Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records.
Young Scooter’s breakthrough came with his 2012 mixtape “Street Lottery,” featuring the hit single “Colombia,” which resonated with audiences and solidified his presence in the hip-hop scene. His collaborations with prominent artists, including Future and Juice Wrld on the 2018 track “Jet Lag,” further elevated his career, marking his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
Throughout his career, Bailey was known for his “count music” style—a term he used to describe his focus on themes of money and survival without overthinking his lyrics. He cited influences such as Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Sean Combs, and was often compared to Young Jeezy for his “populist, kingpin rapping,” though he carved out his own niche within the genre.
Despite his musical success, Bailey faced legal challenges, including a 2013 arrest for probation violation, which led to a six-month incarceration. He was released in October 2013 and continued to contribute to the music industry until his untimely death.