Sauce Walka is speaking out after a deadly shooting in Memphis, Tennessee, that left him injured and claimed the life of his best friend and frequent collaborator, Sayso P. The Texas rapper reached out to fans on social media to let them know he was okay while paying tribute to his deceased brother.
In a video shared online, Sauce Walka spoke to his father, Albert Walker, through FaceTime. Despite a gunshot wound to the leg, the rapper remained calm, noting that this wasn’t his first time dealing with gun violence.
“45 shots at the age of 15,” he remembered. “This s### is nothing new.”
The statement speaks to the harsh truth of growing up in places where violence is always a possibility. But nothing could prepare him for Sayso P, a fellow member of TSF (The Sauce Factory), who was killed in the same attack.
The gunfire broke out in downtown Memphis, close to the FedExForum arena, and came Saturday night (March 22). It was no random act; according to law enforcement, police characterized the assault as a planned and specific hit.
Several gunmen exited the vehicle and opened fire without provocation before fleeing the scene in the car, Memphis police said. Sauce Walka, who was outside a hotel at the time, was shot in the leg, and Sayso P was killed.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as gunfire erupted and onlookers dove for cover. First responders arrived quickly and rushed Sauce Walka to a local hospital for treatment. Sadly, Sayso P did not survive his wounds.
Sauce Walka’s father acknowledged the incident publicly, saying he was thankful his son survived but grieving for Sayso P. The grief was visible in Sauce Walka’s video message, though he tried to put on a strong face for his fans.
Earlier in the day before the shooting, the rapper lived life and posted multiple clips of himself, Sayso P, and fellow rapper YTB Fatt partying together. Sitting next to the seemingly raucous family are the quiet, peaceful, happy times juxtaposed with the violence to come, which is a cruel reminder of how rapidly tragedy can come.
The attack vehicle has already been identified, and authorities follow many leads. Now, law enforcement officials are asking the public to come forward with any tips that would help lead them to arrests.
“This seems to be a targeted shooting incident,” the MPD spokesman told Fox 13. “The victims were outside next to a vehicle. They pulled up in the suspect vehicle. Two or more individuals exited that vehicle, fired shots without talking, re-entered the white vehicle and then fled.”
Investigators try to piece together what led to the tragedy, and again, fans and artists share a love for Sayso P while simultaneously supporting Sauce Walka. The tragedy highlights the violence that continues to afflict the hip-hop community, a reminder that these artists, who all too often only exist as songs on digital streaming platforms, are real people increasingly susceptible to danger in their work environments. Sauce Walka continues to heal and celebrate his friend’s legacy, but justice won’t be lost in this hip-hop world.
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