Who is Mello Buckzz, the Chicago rapper at the center of mass shooting in River North?
Wednesday's party for Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz was supposed to be a celebration of the release of her new album “Hollyhood.” Instead, it erupted into chaos as a drive-by shooting unfolded outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge in River North where attendees had been gathered, killing four people and wounding 14.
Born Melanie Doyle, the 24-year-old drill rapper had seen her star wattage rise in recent years with several tracks that went viral, including “Boom Pt. 2” featuring Grammy-nominated Atlanta rapper Latto; the track currently has 3.5 million Spotify streams and its video has garnered 9 million views on YouTube. The two performed the song at the Coachella festival in 2023, an appearance that continued to elevate Doyle’s reputation as one to watch.
Another hit, “Boom (Mouskatool)” also attracted headlines that same year. Featuring fellow Chicago rappers Amari Blaze, Kashh Mir and Moni da G, Pitchfork called it a “must-hear” track and said “each verse is an electrifying showcase of persona.”
A year after its release, Amari Blaze (Bri'onne Dade) pressed charges against Doyle, accusing her of assault. “I got jumped … it was set up, plotted, planned,” Dade told YouTube show “No Jumper,” adding that the confrontation started over Doyle’s “greed” and “bullying” with the “Mouskatool” troupe’s performances and earnings from the track.
According to court records filed in March 2024, Doyle was arrested in connection with the October 2023 incident in Calumet Park. Doyle allegedly hit Dade several times in the face, causing her to fall through a window, according to the court records. Doyle continued to punch Dade in the face, the documents said, leaving Dade with a broken nose and a “severe laceration to the right hand” that required tendon surgery.
Doyle's lawyer Edward L. Speights claimed it was a case of self-defense.
The rapper was charged with felonies including aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place. On April 17, Doyle pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 months’ probation. She was also ordered to avoid contact with Dade.
Although Doyle hasn't released any official statement about Wednesday night's shooting, the rapper posted a series of emotional messages on her Instagram stories overnight, including remembrances of her boyfriend who was reportedly killed in the shooting. “I’m so f***ing angry,” she wrote in one story, followed by, “Prayers up for all my sisters god please wrap yo arms around every last one of them. We need u I need u .. feel like everything just weighing down on me … All I can do is talk to god and pray.”
She ended with: “I love all y'all dearly … I don’t wish this typa pain on nobody … dam my f***ing crew."
“Hollyhood” was released on streaming networks Thursday morning and includes guest spots from a number of Chicago staples including rapper G Herbo on “hmm…BD” and emerging teen rapper Star Bandz on opening track, “Back Up On My Sh*t.” Star Bandz is set to appear at Lollapalooza next month.
The album release party was originally promoted as a “private location” with doors opening at 7 p.m. The shooting took place four hours later. As of Thursday afternoon, no one is yet in custody.
The venue released a statement that read in part, "Artis was created as a safe space. A space where Black, Queer, and allied communities could gather, be celebrated, and feel at home in River North. We've always led with that mission. And what happened last night disrupted it in the most painful way."
Contributing: Lauren FitzPatrick