Young Dolph's legacy to be honored with second annual 'Dolph Day of Service'

Friday marks two years since the death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph. His record label, Paper Route Empire, and his charitable organization, the IdaMae Family Foundation, will once again observe the anniversary with a "Dolph Day of Service."

One of the city's biggest hip-hop stars, Young Dolph — born Adolph Thornton Jr. — was gunned down on Nov. 17, 2021, inside South Memphis’ Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies at the age of 36. Four men have been charged in connection with Dolph’s murder.

Earlier this month, a new judge was assigned to the case after Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee V. Coffee recused himself.

Over the course of his career, Dolph had emphasized his work helping the less fortunate, particularly as his own star rose. Last year, on the one-year anniversary of his passing, Paper Route Empire and the IdaMae Family Foundation teamed up with The Confess Project of America to honor his legacy with a series charitable activities throughout the Bluff City and across the country. Those efforts were part of official Adolph “Young Dolph” Thornton Jr. Day of Service events recognized in Tennessee, where Dolph was raised, and in Georgia, where he had been based prior to his passing.

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This year, Paper Route Empire and the IdaMae Family Foundation are encouraging fans in Memphis, Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas, “to get involved and give back to the community."

The organizations have several “activations” planed for Memphis on Friday.  Paper Route Empire artists Paper Route Woo and Snupe Bandz will present a turkey giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis (480 S. Parkway). A pair of Memphis businesses, CxffeeBlack (761 National St.) and Sweet Magnolia Gelato (1350 Concourse Ave., Suite #168) will offer special items on their menu, donating a portion of purchases to the IdaMae Foundation.

Dolph Day festivities will continue in Memphis on Nov. 21, as Paper Route Empire's Jay Fizzle hosts a turkey giveaway at Westwood Community Center (810 Western Park Drive) at 3 p.m. In addition, Memphis rapper Grove Hero and former Memphis Tigers basketball star Jeremy Hunt will host a turkey giveaway of their own at Grove Hero Park (4511 Beacon Hill Drive) starting at 3 p.m. Nov. 21.

Those who wish to continue Dolph's charitable work can donate or sign up to volunteer at Dolph-Day.org.

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Locally, Makeda’s will also be taking part in a Dolph observance, as the cookie retailer announced it would be giving away special “Dolphin Cookies” to all customers making a purchase on Friday at its two Memphis locations: 301 Jefferson Ave. in Downtown and 2370 Airways Blvd. in South Memphis.

The Dolph Day events follow this past spring’s Dolphland remembrance, a traveling exhibit focusing on the late Memphis rapper, which opened at the Agricenter in May. Photos, paintings, cars, personal items, multimedia displays, interactive exhibits, even a bust of the rapper, were curated as part of the pop-up museum to create a deeper understanding of his impactful, if brief, life and career.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Young Dolph: Slain Memphis rapper to be honored with day of service