Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of King Von" hosted by DJButterrock
Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of King Von" hosted by DJButterrock
Dayvon Daquan Bennett (August 9, 1994 – November 6, 2020), known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and street gangster from Chicago, Illinois, who was affiliated with the Black Disciples gang of Chicago's South Side.[7][8][9][10] He was considered a preeminent figure in the drill genre of music, a subcategory of hip-hop.[4]
Bennett gained recognition for his storytelling and distinctive lyricism, which often drew from his own experiences, most notably on his 2018 single "Crazy Story", and his 2020 single "Took Her to the O", both of which received triple platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[11][12][13][14] The latter peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, preceding the release of his debut studio album, Welcome to O'Block (2020). The album achieved both critical and commercial success, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200 and earning a platinum certification.[15][16] After signing with Lil Durk's record label, Only the Family, in 2018, Bennett played a key role in the label's growth. This partnership led to the release of the mixtapes Grandson, Vol. 1 (2019), which peaked in the top 50 on the Billboard 200, and Levon James (2020), which reached the top 40, further solidifying his presence in the rap industry before the release of his debut studio album.
On November 6, 2020, Bennett was fatally shot in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 26, following an altercation outside a hookah lounge. After his death, his legacy continued with the release of What It Means to Be King in 2022, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, as well as Grandson in 2023, which would be his final album. His contributions to the genre remain influential.
Early life
Dayvon Daquan Bennett was born on August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois.[17] He had six half-siblings from his father, Walter E. Bennett, and three siblings from his mother, Taesha. He was raised mostly by his mother in the Parkway Garden Homes, an area more commonly known as "O'Block", located on Chicago's South Side within the Greater Grand Crossing community area.[3][18] His relationship with his father was inconsistent due to his father's incarcerations. When Von was 11 years old, his father was killed by an unseen gunman. Von later paid tribute to his father in multiple songs.[19]
Bennett was present for the birth of drill music through his association with Chief Keef and Lil Durk. However, he was frequently incarcerated throughout the 2010s for a multitude of serious criminal charges, which made him known in Chicago's drill scene even before he began recording music.[20] At age 16, Bennett went to juvenile detention for armed robbery in January 2011. While incarcerated, Bennett earned his GED. After being released, Bennett attended a few classes at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois, before dropping out.[21][22] In July 2014, Bennett was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with a shooting that killed one and injured two others.[23] After being detained in the Cook County jail for over three years, he was acquitted in December 2017 and began his musical career.[24]
Dayvon Daquan Bennett (August 9, 1994 – November 6, 2020), known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and street gangster from Chicago, Illinois, who was affiliated with the Black Disciples gang of Chicago's South Side.[7][8][9][10] He was considered a preeminent figure in the drill genre of music, a subcategory of hip-hop.[4]
Bennett gained recognition for his storytelling and distinctive lyricism, which often drew from his own experiences, most notably on his 2018 single "Crazy Story", and his 2020 single "Took Her to the O", both of which received triple platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[11][12][13][14] The latter peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, preceding the release of his debut studio album, Welcome to O'Block (2020). The album achieved both critical and commercial success, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200 and earning a platinum certification.[15][16] After signing with Lil Durk's record label, Only the Family, in 2018, Bennett played a key role in the label's growth. This partnership led to the release of the mixtapes Grandson, Vol. 1 (2019), which peaked in the top 50 on the Billboard 200, and Levon James (2020), which reached the top 40, further solidifying his presence in the rap industry before the release of his debut studio album.
On November 6, 2020, Bennett was fatally shot in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 26, following an altercation outside a hookah lounge. After his death, his legacy continued with the release of What It Means to Be King in 2022, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, as well as Grandson in 2023, which would be his final album. His contributions to the genre remain influential.
Early life
Dayvon Daquan Bennett was born on August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois.[17] He had six half-siblings from his father, Walter E. Bennett, and three siblings from his mother, Taesha. He was raised mostly by his mother in the Parkway Garden Homes, an area more commonly known as "O'Block", located on Chicago's South Side within the Greater Grand Crossing community area.[3][18] His relationship with his father was inconsistent due to his father's incarcerations. When Von was 11 years old, his father was killed by an unseen gunman. Von later paid tribute to his father in multiple songs.[19]
Bennett was present for the birth of drill music through his association with Chief Keef and Lil Durk. However, he was frequently incarcerated throughout the 2010s for a multitude of serious criminal charges, which made him known in Chicago's drill scene even before he began recording music.[20] At age 16, Bennett went to juvenile detention for armed robbery in January 2011. While incarcerated, Bennett earned his GED. After being released, Bennett attended a few classes at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois, before dropping out.[21][22] In July 2014, Bennett was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with a shooting that killed one and injured two others.[23] After being detained in the Cook County jail for over three years, he was acquitted in December 2017 and began his musical career.[24]
