Montae Talbert, the rapper better known as M-Bone and member of the West Coast hip-hop group Cali Swag District, was killed in California in a drive-by shooting on Sunday evening, according to police.
Founded by former Death Row artist Big Wy and Dairold Potts, Cali Swag District was made up of M-Bone, Smoove, Jay Are and Yung, and the group earned national fame for the single “Teach Me How to Dougie.”
Cali Swag District released a statement to TMZ, saying their friend and fellow group member was “the victim of a random act of violence last night, Sunday May 15 in his hometown of Inglewood, CA.”
“As police are still investigating the shooting and untimely death, we ask that anyone with information contact the Inglewood Police Department.
“M-Bone was an inspiration to his family, friends and fans. He was a hardworking, passionate artist and dancer that will be deeply missed.”
According to TMZ, the rapper was next to his car outside of a local liquor store late Sunday when shots rang out. M-Bone was hit and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Just a few weeks ago, FOX News caught up with the group for what now turns out to be one of M-Bone’s last ever interviews.
Here are excperts from that interview:
FOX News: You guys left your mark on dance floors across America last year with everyone wanting to learn how to do the “Dougie”… how did that come about?
Yung: The Dougie is a dance that originated from Dougie Fresh himself, it came from a move he used to do… Fresh used to rub his head all the time when he was on stage, so Dallas, Texas took it in and turned it into a D-town Dougie – moving from side to side and rubbing the head!
FOX News: And now you have “The Kickback” – what else can we expect?
M-Bone: Songs for the ladies!
FOX News: Your fame happened pretty fast, are you all still pinching yourselves?
Smoove: Yes it all happened so suddenly, so everything we do is like a learning process, and the respect level is through the roof. We get respected by people that we didn’t even talk to back in middle school or in high school. They’re like, ‘man, I remember when we were the best of friends!’ But it is cool they respect us now, life is good.
Yung: A lot of people look up to us, like in the airport last night some dude walked up and said could I give him some advice on how to make it. It’s incredible.
M-Bone: Yeah and it happens all time.
FOX News: Music aside, what’s next?
Jay Are: I want a TV show, we need a TV show!
M-Bone: Commercials… oh, and we need that Nike contract! Haha.
Yung: Movies, going overseas. We expect a lot. A lot.
FOX News: What about any dream collaborations?
M-Bone: We’ve got the Bieber fever.
Smoove: (Make us happy) and go and get the album, The Kickback, or I’ll be back! And follow us on Twitter! Scream at us, hit us, follow us, we follow back, we hope for conversation, just don’t act stupid and it’s all good.
