Juice WRLD and Young Dolph were two of the most popular and influential rappers of their generation. They both had a huge impact on the hip hop scene with their unique styles, catchy songs, and loyal fan bases. But did you know that they were also related by blood? That’s right, Juice WRLD and Young Dolph were second cousins, according to Wikipedia. How did they discover their family connection, and what was their relationship like? Here’s everything you need to know about the surprising link between these two rap stars.
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How Juice WRLD and Young Dolph Found Out They Were Cousins
Juice WRLD, whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins, was born on December 2, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago, where he was raised by his single mother, who was very religious and conservative. He was not allowed to listen to hip hop music, but he was exposed to rock and pop music through video games such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Guitar Hero. He started rapping in high school, and released his first mixtape, JuiceTheKidd, in 2015. He later changed his stage name to Juice WRLD, inspired by the movie Juice (1992), starring Tupac Shakur.
Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was born on July 27, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was two years old, where he was mostly raised by his grandmother, Ida Mae. His parents struggled with crack cocaine addiction, and he rarely saw them. He had two sisters and two brothers. He started rapping in 2008, after his friends encouraged him to do so. He released his first mixtape, Paper Route Campaign, in 2008, and founded his own label, Paper Route Empire, in 2010.
Juice WRLD and Young Dolph did not know they were related until they met each other at a music festival in 2018. They realized they had the same grandmother, Ida Mae, who had passed away in 2008. They also discovered that they had other relatives in common, such as rapper Key Glock, who is Young Dolph’s cousin-by-marriage. They were shocked and excited by their family connection, and decided to keep in touch and collaborate on music.
What Juice WRLD and Young Dolph’s Relationship Was Like
Juice WRLD and Young Dolph had a close and supportive relationship as cousins and fellow artists. They respected each other’s work and talent, and praised each other on social media. They also featured on each other’s songs, such as “In a Minute” by Young Dolph featuring Juice WRLD (2019), and “No Love” by Juice WRLD featuring Young Dolph (2020). They also planned to release a joint album together, but it never materialized due to their tragic deaths.
Juice WRLD died on December 8, 2019, at the age of 21, from an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine. He suffered a seizure at the Midway International Airport in Chicago after landing from a private jet flight from Los Angeles. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His death shocked and saddened the music industry and his fans around the world.
Young Dolph died on November 17, 2021, at the age of 36, from multiple gunshot wounds. He was shot and killed at a cookie shop in Memphis by an unknown assailant who drove up to the store and opened fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His death sparked outrage and grief among the hip hop community and his followers.
Why Juice WRLD and Young Dolph’s Legacy Matters
Juice WRLD and Young Dolph were more than just cousins; they were also legends in the rap game. They both had a huge influence on the hip hop culture with their distinctive sounds, honest lyrics, and charismatic personalities. They both overcame many challenges and hardships in their lives, such as poverty, drug addiction, violence, and mental health issues. They both used music as a way to express themselves and inspire others. They both left behind a rich catalog of songs that touched millions of people across the globe.
Juice WRLD was one of the pioneers of emo rap and SoundCloud rap genres that gained mainstream attention in the mid-to-late 2010s. He was known for his melodic vocals, emotional themes, freestyle skills, and diverse musical influences. He had several hit singles such as “Lucid Dreams”, “All Girls Are the Same”, “Robbery”, “Come & Go”, and “Wishing Well”. He also collaborated with many other artists such as Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Marshmello, Halsey, and The Weeknd. He released three studio albums: Goodbye & Good Riddance (2018), Death Race for Love (2019), and Legends Never Die (2020). He also released two posthumous albums: Fighting Demons (2021) and The Party Never Ends (2021).
Young Dolph was one of the leading figures of the Memphis rap scene that emerged in the 2010s. He was known for his hard-hitting beats, witty punchlines, street stories, and independent hustle. He had several hit singles such as “Cut It”, “Preach”, “Get Paid”, and “Major”. He also collaborated with many other artists such as Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Migos, and Megan Thee Stallion. He released seven studio albums: King of Memphis (2016), Bulletproof (2017), Thinking Out Loud (2017), Role Model (2018), Dum and Dummer (with Key Glock) (2019), Rich Slave (2020), and Paper Route Illuminati (with Paper Route Empire) (2021).
Juice WRLD and Young Dolph’s music will live on forever in the hearts and minds of their fans and peers. They will always be remembered as two of the most talented and influential rappers of their generation. They will always be missed and loved by their family and friends. They will always be legends who never die.
