Road Manager for Nicki Minaj, Pusha T and Fabolous Stabbed to Death

It's killing me to talk abt you in the past tense. I don't believe I've ever met someone as selfless as you. No one as humble and for the team as you. I hired you as my road manager simply because I knew you were more honest than me. There were stronger, more experienced, more polished candidates for the job but they weren't better than you. You made me see good in people. You gave everyone a chance, they should've gave you a chance. You didn't deserve this @daydaydoesdis . Love You #RIP
A photo posted by kingpush (@kingpush) on Feb 18, 2015 at 8:11am PST

A member of Nicki Minaj's road crew was stabbed to death early this morning (Feb. 18) during a bar fight in Philadelphia, reports NBC News in Philadelphia. De'Von "Day Day" Pickett succumbed to his injuries after being driven to Einstein Medical Center by witnesses. Both Pickett and Eric Parker, also a member of Minaj's team, are believed to have been stabbed several times. At press time, Parker is said to be in critical condition.

Scott Small, Chief Inspector for Philadelphia PD, said that it is believed that Pickett, Parker and the perpetrator--who is still at large--were inside West Oak Lane's Che Bar & Grill when the argument started. It subsequently spilled out onto the street, where "a large amount of blood" believed to belong to Pickett was discovered. The three witnesses are still being interviewed by homicide detectives. NBC reports that several neighboring businesses have video footage of the incident, although that has yet to be released.

Pickett and Parker were in Philadelphia prepping for Nicki Minaj's upcoming tour. The rapper tweeted, "Two members of my team were stabbed last night in Philly," adding, "One was killed. They had only been there for two days rehearsing for the tour."

Pickett had also worked with rappers such as Fabolous and Pusha T, the saying in an Instagram eulogy that Pickett was "more honest than [Pusha]." The GOOD Music rapper went on: "There were stronger, more experienced, more polished candidates for the job but they weren't better than you. You made me see good in people. You gave everyone a chance, they should've gave you a chance. You didn't deserve this." Minaj also paid tribute on Instagram, as did Fab.

Around the music community, others reacted to Pickett's death. Rihanna, Tiara Thomas and Minaj's ex, Safaree Samuels, all expressed their condolences:

throwback #RIPDayDay
A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Feb 18, 2015 at 11:37am PST

WOW! The news I just received makes my stomach hurt. This man looked out for me every single day when I was on tour with kmichelle. I shared a tour bus with him, laughed with him, partied with him, watched him work his ass off everyday and he's gone today. Wow. Don't take people for granted. Live to you fullest potential. Value the people you love. Value LIFE. Damn, I remember only good things about u #ripdayday
A photo posted by Tiara Thomas (@tiara_thomas) on Feb 18, 2015 at 10:16am PST

rip day day... messed up when these cowards take the lives of innocent ppl!!! i cant stand these mentally sick ppl... smh!
A photo posted by Safaree Stunts (@sbstunts) on Feb 18, 2015 at 11:49am PST

Stay tuned to XXL for more news as the story continues to unfold.

Categories: News