Exclusive: Rapper Yungeen Ace Opens Up to Complex About the Night He Was Shot Eight Times

Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace was the sole survivor of a drive-by shooting in early June took the lives of his best friend and younger brother, and left him in critical condition. Amid the release of his buzzworthy debut mixtape "Life of Betrayal," the 20-year-old rising artist talks to Complex about making music while grieving his loved ones, being compared to NBA Youngboy, his rough upbringing in the South, and why he feels he's misunderstood.
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.

[@DMXhill]

He's got survivor guilt from that shooting, sad af. Can't imagine how he feels, lost 3 brothers and he the only one that survived.

[@MLDCJ97]

And then on top of that couldnt go to funeral

[@YSGNiko]

Michael Crawford that’s probably one of the worst parts

[@guwopfinesse3911]

2brothers and one close friend

[@YSGNiko]

Guwop Finesse well 2 close Friends and one brother he said in his song paint at the start listen closely

[@juniormagallon4088]

DMXhill gg

[@zoysl63]

“If ion change the world Ima change somebody life”💯

[@casino7foelife]

Nigga real fam

[@prettyassniah8055]

Renzo Twotimes Tupac

[@witchblxdes9828]

ugly ass boy

[@xoxo4364]

FACTS BRO 💯💯💯R.I.P. 🔫🔫🔫🤟🏾🤟🏾

[@bossmack4582]

Felt dat

[@theyhates0ph1a]

“What hurt most was like Ian go wit them” “We was all pose to go together”..damn bruh💔 rip to yo brothers😭

[@jaguar_goddess2536]

I femt that nk.

[@Chucky925]

Young man, your life was spared for a reason let that pain save lives.. Let your story be the catalyst for change and hope in your community.. Let the gift GOD has given you in your music, make a difference with direction and Strength.. You lost 3 brothers but you can help save a generation.. Much respect my young brother....💯

[@royalvibes4433]

Just wanted to let u know I stumbled upon ur comment & I gotta tell u bro , it is extremely powerful, extremely inspiring & was a breath of fresh air to read . I dunno if u will ever see my reply here but I had to let u know just how powerful words truly are , (more than I can possibly attempt to explain) I truly appreciate ur comment & i think it's pretty safe to say i know I'm not the only one ,lol!! it fanned the flame in my heart. KEEP BEING A WORLD CHANGER! YOU ROCK BRO!! GOD BLESS!! & I'll definitely be seeing ya, when God calls us both home.

[@Chucky925]

@@royalvibes4433 i truly appreciate your kind words.. It's so sad that this young man has this responsibility on his shoulders, at this young age.. He is so gifted and if mentored properly the things he can do.. It's perplexing that all he knows in his life is death and destruction, and it comes out in his music.. I'm so tired of seeing my young brother's keep needing to make these songs and videos of killing and guns, because thats all they have known all their lives.. And the people in the music industry exploit them for gain, instead of traning them to turn that death and destruction into something positive to hear and maybe save a generation.....😢

[@robbingrafton4364]

John Chucky Tomlinson indeed

[@lilhunt111]

KING DARRIUS yea buddy ass off the shits GOD had a plan for him folkz he needed more from him

[@endlesspotential2079]

What’s sad is for every one Yungeen Ace or Kodak Black there are 10,000,000 people without a voice.

[@creeksideyella]

Bruh said his brother was behind him screamin 😥😥

[@estebanolivas3099]

Who's is brother 23?

[@ryanilopan229]

Esteban Olivas yea

[@p63blessed49]

Esteban Olivas no his brother was 2x. 23 and 4 his mub brothers

[@p63blessed49]

Ryan Ilopan you wrong it’s 2x that’s his blood brother that’s quan quan. 23 and 4 his mub brothers

[@ryanilopan229]

P63 Blessed oh tru tht

[@averagekentuckyfan870]

He survived for a reason God has a plan for him.

[@mulalivin]

Averagekentuckyfan facts

[@jeremyba.7019]

Lando _ u stfu

[@alvarosucks4095]

Makes no sense why him

[@PrankSmith]

God doesn't control somebody else shooting people... that has nothing to do with god.

[@rafaelcortez6314]

Averagekentuckyfan GOD**

[@SkepticalVex]

damn he was in a car with 3 others and all 3 died but him.

[@bluemas5]

One died on their 18th B-Day

[@moneyway8178]

@@bluemas5 what

[@bluemas5]

@@moneyway8178 wot

[@marquespowell2661]

That was God that spared him wow im soooo sad and heart broken for the others. and sad he has to live with that memory.

[@chieffinesse1309]

Lil Purge 💀 bro why is you calling this man out his name cause he ain’t know some shit , that hella people don’t know , you the type to talk all that on the internet and weak asf in real life

[@thefool3812]

i can relate .. i was 6 when my bro got hit in the chest wit a .44 magnum .. his chest burst open right in front my eyes .. ain't been the same since 😞😞😞🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@marobinson61]

I can't imagine what your possibly going through but it would make all sense if this is still weighing heavy on you so bro if you want to pray hit me up 843-518-2855 Mike much love bro

[@theglochasers1739]

Damn bro. Ik u hurtin.

[@dayoungboyzay6508]

Jermar Martin Aye yo I hope this sub changes you a little If I was there I would’ve killed em slowly

[@kunlead9273]

Stay strong

[@Xrated]

@@marobinson61 if that's your real number I would take that off

[@chickenbarnes]

“ what hurt most , ian go with them “😩❤️keep your head up Ace 💯you here for a reason , shine on these mfs that tried to take you 💯

[@robbingrafton4364]

Chicken Barnes thx u for boo🙏🏽❤️♠️

[@jayar9525]

Real shit fam

[@retiredtidepodeater3339]

No father in the home.. 8+ brothers/sisters.. the hood struggle.. shot 8+ times.. incarceration. I've never heard a story like this before. /s

[@bigglizzy1952]

Man shut yo clown ass up

[@bluemas5]

@TheFallsCapone northern Ireland has nothing on the ghettos of America bruh...everybody in Ireland is one color...I bet you never even met a black person

[@bluemas5]

@TheFallsCapone yeah.. no...don't talk about American life if you don't even live here ...Idk what makes you think you have a say on anything that goes on here...just be happy with what you got

[@balenciiagas3329]

He was also put in jail after he was shot

[@Streetsmoke4]

he called dis nigga a thick yank wtf 😂

[@jminers1234]

Damn this is so deep imagine if yo little homies mom's was asking you why they son? Too much man too much

[@jaquankersey3312]

jminers1234 it’s ace mom asking why his brother was killed

[@4ransom437]

Jaquan Kersey all of em not his blood brothers

[@Nelson-cc6yy]

Jakario TV he put brother not brothers

[@kazz4594]

worst feeling :/

[@tanishasummerville6083]

@@4ransom437 I thought they all were brothers have to listen again.

[@OGAdriana]

Breaks my heart. Survivor's guilt is so real.

[@bigkushgod]

his fault he posted where he was while also being in a gang war terrorizing jacksonville fuck him

[@zabosuki2451]

@@bigkushgod calm yo ass down why you so mad for

[@jadeharris6928]

I almost cried watching this 💔 now i know the real pain behind pain 😩 I felt that song, I lost my brother to gun violence when i was 13..

[@OnlyMyOpinionMatters]

Haha sucked in loser

[@999speed3]

@@OnlyMyOpinionMatters fuck u

[@jujuail1212]

@@OnlyMyOpinionMatters your fuck for that

[@Chandlerleche]

@@jujuail1212 shut up bitch

[@lieutenantcandlewax]

@@Chandlerleche shut up go play fortnite

[@bigglizzy1952]

Hope bro get out his city cause he really up next rip to yo bruddas

[@Drecofrmtha4]

He out he said they banned him from Jacksonville on an interview

[@dead3320]

He not coming back

[@dayoub5561]

@@Drecofrmtha4 who banning him

[@kinganthony6956]

why you think he trying to leave the city? this duval bruh

[@garrettnaquin8372]

He’s in Houston now

[@IAMJAYBRITT5]

I respect Yungeen Ace he been thru so much ❤️ I love you brudda

[@mathewmcdonald3657]

I live in Jacksonville where this triple murder happened. I spoke to the homicide detective who was on the scene. Over 100 rounds of 7.62x39 shot into the car and young men. For people not familiar that’s an AK47 or Draco most likely. That is unbelievable firepower. To have the time to fire that much at that location with no witnesses is unbelievable. This young man is living with a horrible tragedy, my heart goes out to him and his family. I’m not a very religious person but I can’t not believe a higher power didn’t save him that night. I wish him healing and peace. He lived through a nightmare only now to try and make sense of the senseless.

[@AtrophySoldier]

It’s a shame that some people think this music is ignorant, but then fail to realize a lot of these guys really have pain and have gone through some tough situations.

[@ThatOneHaitianGirl]

“Imma Make Them Feel This One” We Feel It 💯

[@Stephanie-xl4qn]

Question is it just me crying over here?😭😢😔

[@loveakeela6108]

Stephanie Osorio man I started tearing up too that shit was deep

[@yeshuasage3724]

Yh

[@MoreTae]

I cannot heal all this pain when I'm constantly hurt That's why I hope for the best but I prepare for the worst

[@ChiefAceGaming]

My mans is hurting bruh 🙏🏾 prayers up keep grinding yo

[@deemoney2393]

After telling his story , you see how people still have the heart to dislikes this video. Smfh

[@tametrislatrell6182]

Right

[@bangatventertainment2998]

Ikr

[@YoungBritt96]

His life was spared for a reason. God wasn’t done with him. He’s here for a purpose. He feels like it’s his fault because he’s the only one that made it out. He feels like since he’s older he’s the protector and their lives were in his hands. I know he has ptsd.

[@montezlovett2295]

Deep asf a lotta pain behind all this

[@nya-lf6ke]

*r.i.p to yo brothers.* *4 ( including you ) was in the car, 3 died, that means God gave you a second chance in life, make something out of it* 💟

[@904chris3]

He couldn't go to his brothers funeral 😐😕😭

[@MoniqueChatman]

I couldn’t go to my brother funeral either💔

[@april1st183]

@@MoniqueChatman why not? U were locked up?

[@1of1Reg]

Same with x sis

[@amandaaaron1853]

he didn't die that night cause it wasnt his time

[@queenharris7150]

@Lando _ No you shut you're stupid self up.hes right,that was the work of God

[@kodybarnes9597]

Queen Harris so god kill the other 3 and let him live??

[@jabreelbrown4566]

@@kodybarnes9597 GOD HAD A PLAN FOR HIM

[@jmoney120]

Queen Harris god took the other 3 to make ace stronger and grow from that

[@agency1432]

@@jabreelbrown4566 you sure it was God 🤔

[@wendydurham1662]

This make me cry

[@stuntress22]

wendy durham I'm from duval 😥I always say it's not a place for black boys.. get them out of here asap

[@djgreene5440]

Ong bro this shit is sad asf lowkey

[@Dessismyname]

Word

[@TyTy-lb3tt]

Ace dealing with some serious pain. I’m glad he did the interview and talked about what happened. Sad 🙏🏽❤️

[@jordanhilliard18]

Jacksonville a crazy place man das why i got out of there

[@deangelobrown7391]

Man and its worst now

[@chloe4vp315]

@@deangelobrown7391 for reals👌💯

[@savagekid101l2]

It's hard down here in Jacksonville man u just got to pray to the lord

[@enigmaticladypisces3169]

Jordan Hilliard me too! I left at 18 and now 36... Never looking back!

[@OnlyMyOpinionMatters]

Lol it's a town full of weak pussys

[@princessm7855]

That’s so sad man , I couldn’t imagine seeing my brothers die 😭 he’s so strong

[@henrydanger8825]

i listen to him everyday i really fw he real

[@daveh9551]

"I aint go with him...." that hit. I have survivors guilt too. When 911 hit my bros went to Afghanistan but my mom had a medical emergency and I became undeployable and then I got a DUI coming on base , so I was held behind on admin. I lost 12 guys and 4 of them Id just finished doing training with. I was going nuts because reports were coming guys were getting hit but they werent releasing names pending family notifications. I was one of the best trained shooters and from the hood so I felt nobody could protect my boys like I could because my instincts were gold. I just always feel had I been there I shouldve died with them, saved them , or just been there period.

[@msraynicole]

Love his music ... Super talented ... He tell his story through his music.. Voice is super dope.. I listen to his music everyday.. His songs Murdah, Pain, true story, hold me down & love is my favorite songs ..❤

[@marquaviusthefirst9260]

Ray Whitman 👏🏾👏🏾 also wanted and find myself

[@msraynicole]

@@marquaviusthefirst9260 I got those songs downloaded also lol

[@CocoapieRodriguez]

I lost 7 people within 1.5 years, plus a boyfriend, I was 18, I'm 40, and I'm STILL fkd up about it. He'll NEVER be the same.

[@Tharealenoch]

3:11 I still can't get over the fact they only brought one truck

[@ronicquagibson2223]

IKR....Thats crazy!!!! 🤯🙏🏾

[@Jonathan-wo1ys]

'some days we ain't eat" felt that

[@amirebrown9132]

2x screaming out 2x screaming out

[@djourknows_3496]

amire brown its not the old him

[@harmonyportee219]

Usyd

[@anthony-cy3mq]

It was him who was screaming Its was 23 he was screaming

[@xtecee]

I could a sworn he was singing pain otl but he was just saying it in between his words

[@jrob4392]

Amir's Place I thought he was singing Don’t know why

[@thereal2xsmoke596]

I feel woe pain i lost 5 of my mud brothers back to back

[@imamaldonado1358]

Rip man 🙏

[@lakewoodbaby]

roadrunna Smoke fucc em

[@thereal2xsmoke596]

@@lakewoodbaby you diss my dead homies ? What your location ?

[@thereal2xsmoke596]

@Stephen Wynter got too

[@HoloScope]

@@lakewoodbaby nigga what the fuck nigga disrespecting dead homies thats on gang nigga if a nigga talk on my dead homie it's on fucking sight we don't play that

[@EdwardBliffin]

He said 'So Boom'...those two words let me know he really from the hood

[@Wlrdzz]

U lame...

[@Wlrdzz]

U make no sense cuh

[@EdwardBliffin]

Makes plenty of sense

[@lucaboosie8841]

I stg I knew soon as he said that

[@geekapalot]

Vibes MUSIV3 nah u lame asf cause youn know what it mean 👎🏽

[@JayzLittyTV]

he’s so underrated.. 💔 rip all of them 💔

[@ShysteCapone]

Son strong, you can see the pain in his eyes

[@xiovvoix2372]

It's sad because his brothers looked up to him cause he was an up and coming rapper who could support them out the mud. R.I.P to his Brothers but he got them into this mess, in one of his songs he shot at a rapper and that same rapper is the one claiming the bodies.

[@guttaatee9208]

Shit gave me the chills listen to his story 😫🙏🏾

[@bryanlor2170]

“You feel what I’m sayin”

[@JakesToFar]

Some of the saddest stuff I’ve ever heard I couldn’t imagine

[@jhonatanduarte7816]

I got to meet ace he cool af and humble

[@hottestmusic7708]

This nigga strong he get to Express his self and tell the fans what really happen ace stay strong u gone be big #ace and yb sound alike

[@jacoboliver2262]

You can see the pain in his eyes... god bless him frl

[@EdwardBliffin]

Everybody can't connect with that type of struggle

[@quintonwilson7559]

Az nnajjn hmmm s e jjsjshsksms h-

[@amdianec3847]

wat do you mean by dat bade?

[@luhkeezy]

y would you want too

[@2Serus]

Imagine him leaving with his brothers tells mom bye and then boom he’s in Critical condition, man I’m sorry for your loss and rip to your bruddas keep thuggin and dropping bangers

[@jerrellwilliams5777]

My dawg is inspiration. They going feel you don’t have a choice too you too real and your story is like no other 💪🏾❤️💯

[@Bluedemonjm]

Respect for this man. Hope he finds his happiness.

[@YxYzYx]

The song murder is a smash

[@LILBUBBA-sk5rt]

Alex G fr

[@Const101]

Y’all niggas big cappin

[@SwervinNeons]

He's really a smart and insightful person, RIP to his brothers and long live to him.

[@Cedricjrlitnow]

Music is the best way to express yourself people take you more serious that way anyway

[@undertheinfluencenate8768]

Damn thats a real story, real pain

[@MK-cb3dt]

i wanna see him do good so bad, he deserve it mane 💯

[@lerannn]

That's real pain 💔 I hope he uses it as hunger instead of depression

[@miracleshaleah1521]

This had me crying 😥😫.

[@carinaholmblad9707]

Most heartbreaking interview and it hit me hard

[@nicoletracey648]

This shit made me cry. Keep your head up Ace

[@mosed-215]

Sometimes the worst experiences make the greatest experiences possible. Let the bad things motivate you to go twice as hard next time. Good luck everyone.

[@voltronixyt8747]

"i didnt go with them i mean like we was susposed to all go together" damn thats tuff. Everyday i tell my brothers we all gone go at the same time, we all gone die together. My dad and mom where born in jacksonville but good thing they moved from there to roseland like way down south but still wasnt a good neighborhood. gunshots every night, drug dealers, GD's and GDK's and all that crazy stuff. The sad thing is no one really undertands what your going through because the people that YOU loved that died impacted YOU the most even if other people knew them. Because you've had diffrent experiences with them. ~we all go together~

[@kelshawnmiller9310]

When they asked him what hurt the most and he said “I ain’t go with em” , that’s some real shit right there 💯👌🏾

[@4k.yungeen860]

Damn that's crazy💯

[@datnigga7322]

I was in a accident when one of my best friends dies in front of me. His mom won't talk to none of us that was in the car. Shit hurt fr. I feel yungeen

[@OnlyMyOpinionMatters]

It's your fault

[@lilkeketv9179]

Its crazy bro now you gotta grind fasho it’s mandatory you live for yo brothers 💯💯

[@DoIttMiaaaa]

Ace Is A Beautiful Human , Authentic .

[@luryt]

its not his fault, think positive

[@jalisha7115]

I think what hurt the most for him was not only being the lone survivor out of 4 brothers but he said he didn’t even get to go to the funerals so he never got the proper good bye 🥹 I know he is chosen. 🙏🏽

[@dondrial]

This hurt my heart! 💔

[@rellchannell]

This was sad 😢 keep going bro💯💪🏾

[@bhglizzy8146]

" how you didn't Let me go to my brothers funeral"😩💔

[@okayleeramirez2061]

Speechless 💔

[@AceThaDon]

rest up soulja’s💔 Today 6/5/2019 hbd 2️⃣3️⃣💯

[@lilvick89]

You can hear the pain in his voice

[@shakirrajoseph5068]

Dis really made me cry 😭😭😭😭😭😭😟💔

[@1waymusicent551]

“McDonald’s and Golden Corral was out to eat to us “ fax💯 shirt sad tho

[@dwaynewalker7031]

Young brother never ask the Lord why. Everything happens for a reason

[@escobar1176]

Dwayne Walker 😂😂😂

[@geekinpineapple4661]

That's some shit people say when they ain't been through tough shit. What kind of God let shit happen like this?

[@jaylintz3200]

Cyrus Pinzon the god of earth.... the devil

[@episodeight]

Cyrus Pinzon the god of this earth 🤫

[@paul.1687]

its human nature

[@ya_sopretty]

I cried watching this can’t image how it feel to lose 3 ppl you love at once not being able to save them not knowing who to help while tryna save yourself too I hope he make it 🙏🏾

[@tasiastanford1425]

I love you so much Your song pain tho....i can't listen to it without crying 💯💯

[@luismonge2875]

You can feel the pain in that mans voice

[@travishardy1554]

I FEEL YO PAIN BRUH I LOSE MY LIL BRO HE WAS 19 SO I FEEL YO BRO

[@blameCando]

God is great❗️ I’m thankful he kept you alive, everything happens for a reason.

[@macaileh9036]

This sad to many people dying now and days it’s really sad but you gotta keep pushing keep making this money they would want you too keep grinding and thriving you gon be up there one day ❤️

[@DevvBando]

I caught a tear mann This real pain 💔💪🏾

[@zintical9264]

i live in jacksonville its a scary place

[@ivanhernandez8522]

Best rapper out currently. Love how raw and real everything he spits is. RIP 23 x2 🗣

[@anthony-cy3mq]

BRUH YOU MESSED UP RIP 2x23x4

[@arianacarrasco9865]

Broo I love pain🥺❤️ Ik that whole song‼️‼️❤️❤️❤️

[@helveeta]

I just want to give this young man a hug. Makes me appreciate things that is for sure. :'(

[@big9etherestrong]

"Pain my favorite song" mine too, big dawg keep dropping 🔥🔥 🔥🔥 🔥

[@Mike-ii1vz]

Too much for one nigga to deal with ion even listen to this nigga music but I respect the hell outta him for staying strong after that traumatic ass shit

[@FudggeYeah]

He one of the many 🐐's

[@playgirltajah]

Blessed !🙏🏾

[@Amourlul_Kam]

This how many times he said YOU KNOW WHAT IM SAYING...Ik that shi hurt 😞

[@lil-5802]

You changed mine bc I lost my lil brother 3days b4 my b-day I got ur message

[@lilcreed8867]

What you know about pain💯

[@Marleyfresher]

This shit me chills everytime I hear this story. My girl dont know nothing about Yungeen but this brought tears to her eyes. Lil bruh God spared you cause you have no choice but to go hard and make the most out of this gift he gave you. You absolutely have to make it in this music shit Ace so your brothers won't have died for nothin