TMZ spoke to the girlfriend of recently-murdered Cali Swag District member M-Bone, who says she suspects a jealous neighbor is behind the slaying of the 22-year-old rapper.

M-Bone's live-in girlfriend, who asked her identity be kept anonymous, told the gossip site that M-Bone, born Montae Talbert, had engaged in a Twitter feud with a neighbor  — an exchange they reported to the authorities — who was obsessed and jealous of the up-and-coming artist's success. The man apparently made threats of violence via the social networking site.

The girlfriend also recounted to TMZ what happened just hours before M-Bone was fatally shot outside of a liquor store in Inglewood, Calif. She said on that same day she picked up M-Bone at the airport at 12:15 p.m. and took him back to their apartment, where they lived together for a year. Later that night, at around 10 p.m., she said he left for the studio in her car. Just hours later she got a call from another member of Cali Swag District who delivered the devastating news that her boyfriend had been shot and killed in a drive-by.

According to reports, M-Bone was shot by the drive-by shooter as he stood near his girlfriend's parked car. The shooter drove off and then returned, presumably to see if he had hit his intended target.

The publicist for Cali Swag District sent this statement to XXLMag.com yesterday (May 16) shortly after reports of M-Bone's murder surfaced on the net: "Cali Swag District member Montae "M-Bone" Talbert was the victim of a random act of violence last night, Sunday, May 15th in his hometown of Inglewood, CA.  As police are still investigating the shooting and untimely death we ask that anyone with information contact the Inglewood Police Department.  Montae, aged 22, was the comedic entertainer of Cali Swag District (who helped launch "The Dougie" to mainstream audiences) and was an inspiration to his family, friends and fans.  He was a hardworking, passionate artist and dancer that will be deeply missed."

The XXL staff sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of M-Bone. —Mariel Concepcion

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