Who is the rapper 'King of Memphis'? A look at Young Dolph's career and legacy

Known as the “King of Memphis” (or so ran his 2016 album title), Young Dolph carved his own niche in the Bluff City hip-hop scene before his tragic death at the age of 36 in a shooting at Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies on Airways Boulevard on Nov. 17, 2021.

A native of Chicago, Dolph came to Memphis with his family as a child. He would launch his career in the Bluff City with a series of mixtapes beginning in 2008. Within a few years he moved up the hip-hop ranks and Billboard charts, starting in 2016 with Gold-certified hits like "Play With Yo B****" and "100 Shots," while his 2020 album — the last released during his lifetime — "Rich Slave," peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard charts.

In addition to his solo work, Dolph teamed up with fellow Memphis rapper Key Glock for a pair of hit "Dum and Dummer" albums in 2019 and 2021, and he had been featured on a range of tracks by the likes of O.T. Genasis, Gucci Mane and Lil Durk, among others.

YOUNG DOLPH IN MEMPHIS: Adolph 'Young Dolph' Thornton, Jr. Avenue: Memphis street renamed after rapper unveiled

The rapper’s efforts to build a hip-hop empire independently, as head of his own company, Paper Route Empire, were also notable. Along with Key Glock — Dolph's cousin by marriage — Dolph’s other signings to the label included Memphis rappers Snupe Bandz, Paper Route Woo and Big Moochie Grape.

Beyond his musical career, Young Dolph’s charitable and community efforts, chiefly the IdaMae Family Foundation — named after his grandmother — made him a beloved figure in the community, a fact confirmed by the remarkable outpouring that followed his death in 2021.

Since his death, Dolph's life and music have been celebrated on tribute records, in a national touring pop-up museum, and as part of an annual Day of Service in his memory.

YOUNG DOLPH MURDER CASE: Trial has been set for the Young Dolph murder case — again. Here's where it stands

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Who is the rapper King of Memphis?