The late rapper Young Dolph was reportedly murdered due to a hit allegedly ordered against him, as outlined by prosecutors and one of the supposed hitmen.

Cornelius Smith, one of the individuals charged in connection with the rapper’s death, testified in a Tennessee courtroom on Monday. He claimed that he engaged in the murder to receive a promised payment.

Smith stated that he and Justin Johnson, another suspect whose trial commenced Monday, were to each receive $40,000 for their roles, while Hernandez Govan, identified by prosecutors as the mastermind of the plot, would receive $20,000.

Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolf Thorton Jr., was shot on November 17, 2021. He gained recognition for his collaborations on songs like “Cut It” by O.T. Genasis, along with his own singles including “Get Paid,” “100 Shots,” “Major” featuring his cousin Key Glock, and “RNB” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.

‘I can’t tell you how many times I shot’ Young Dolph, Cornelius Smith testifies

According to Smith, Johnson picked him up to carry out the initial plan of shooting Thronton during a Thanksgiving “turkey drive.” However, they recognized Young Dolph’s distinct camouflage-wrapped Corvette instead.

After spotting the rapper’s vehicle, they began to follow him until he parked at the cookie shop where he was ultimately killed, Smith recounted.

Smith, who claimed he was the first to exit the vehicle when they arrived at Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in Memphis, stated that he “couldn’t tell you how many times he shot (Thornton).”

He also mentioned that he was injured by gunfire from Marcus Thornton, Young Dolph’s brother, who was present during the incident, requiring a “wound kit” for his injuries. Johnson was grazed by a bullet in the back, according to Smith.

Immediately following the shooting, Smith said they abandoned the white Mercedes in a driveway in Orange Mound, Tennessee, before taking a different vehicle to a South Memphis apartment where they changed clothes and treated their injuries.

Before being apprehended, Smith stated he received a total of $800 related to the hit.

Smith faces several charges associated with Young Dolph’s murder.

Prosecutors allege Big Jook put out a $100K hit on Young Dolph

During the opening statements of Johnson’s trial, Tennessee prosecutors claimed that Anthony “Big Jook” Mims, who is related to Memphis rapper Yo Gotti and associated with the CMG record label, offered a $100,000 bounty on Young Dolph.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman detailed the roles of both Big Jook and Johnson, known as Straight Drop, in the murder of Thornton nearly three years ago.

Hagerman also mentioned that Johnson was invited to Atlanta by Big Jook and Govan in hopes of signing him to CMG, which competes with Young Dolph’s label, Paper Route Empire.

It was alleged that Big Jook suggested to Johnson that the murder of Young Dolph was necessary to secure a record contract.

The Commercial Appeal, a part of the YSL News Network, reached out to CMG for comment.

Differing perspectives on Young Dolph shooting video presented in court

In his opening remarks, Johnson’s lawyer, Luke Evans, argued that Johnson did not kill Thornton and that the evidence presented fails to link him to the crime.

Hagerman discussed photographic evidence and clothing that allegedly connected Johnson to the shooting, while Evans countered that similar items, such as a Bass Pro Shop hat, do not definitively identify Johnson in the surveillance footage and photos.

Hagerman showcased the surveillance footage from outside Makeda’s, highlighting a moment when a white Mercedes arrived, and two men stepped out. He claimed the individual seen with a handgun in the video was Johnson, while the other individual holding a semi-automatic weapon was Smith.

What Led to the Feud Between Yo Gotti and Young Dolph?

Prosecutors have suggested that Young Dolph’s murder was linked to a long-standing rivalry between Gotti’s CMG label and Dolph’s Paper Route Empire label.

The conflict between Dolph and Gotti dates back over ten years. In 2014, Dolph—who was just starting to gain fame—publicly declared that he had refused an offer to join Gotti’s CMG label.

Over the years, the two rappers exchanged diss tracks and made pointed remarks about each other, particularly evident in Dolph’s debut album “The King of Memphis” in 2016, which was seen as a direct challenge to Gotti’s status in the industry.

On February 25, 2017, while on tour in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dolph was in a vehicle that came under fire, with more than 100 bullets shot towards it. Fortunately, the car was bulletproof, and Dolph went on to perform that night. Following this event, he released an album aptly titled “Bulletproof,” featuring the track “100 Shots.”

In May 2019, Blac Youngsta, an affiliate of Gotti, was among three individuals who turned themselves in for their supposed role in the shooting incident involving Dolph. Youngsta was later released on bail, and the charges against him were dropped.

Things intensified in September 2017 when Young Dolph was shot outside the Lowes Hollywood hotel in Los Angeles.

At that time, the Los Angeles Police Department stated that Gotti, who was also at the hotel, was not considered a suspect. Shortly after the shooting, Corey McClendon from Memphis was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Tragically, on November 17, 2021, Young Dolph was shot and killed at Makeda’s. An autopsy revealed that he suffered around 22 gunshot wounds to different areas of his body.

In January, Big Jook was fatally shot outside a restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee. This murder on January 13 appeared to be a deliberate assassination.

Although authorities released images of a car thought to be connected to the murder soon after the event, no suspects have been named or charged regarding Big Jook’s death. Officials have not disclosed whether they believe there is a link between his death and that of Young Dolph.