R.I.P. Stretch (August 21, 1968 – November 30, 1995) – Today in Hip-Hop

On this day, Nov. 30, in hip-hop history...

1995: Randy "Stretch" Walker was a member of New York City-bred Hollis, Queens hip-hop and production act Live Squad, but it was his affiliation to Tupac Shakur in the early 1990s that kept his name popular among rap circles.

On Nov. 30, 1995, Stretch was killed in a fatal high-speed car chase in Queens. That night, Stretch was driving through Queens Village when two to three men drove down on him and fired at least four shots. Two bullets struck Walker in the back, according to relatives. He died as a result of his injuries.

Before his death, Stretch was a witness to the infamous shooting at Quad Studios that left Tupac injured in 1994—exactly one year prior to Stretch's death. "The shootings were one year and about five minutes apart. It's weird," Lieutenant Vito R. Spano told reporters one day following Stretch's murder.

Many conspiracy theories were told after Stretch passed away. When Stretch died, many believed his murder was related to the beef he and ’Pac had following the Quad robbery and shooting. It is also believed that his death was a hit ordered by drug dealers who he allegedly robbed.

Regardless, the 6-foot-8-inch rapper will always be remembered for his musical contributions on tracks with Nas and 2Pac, particularly for It Was Written and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., respectively. Gone but not forgotten, rest in peace, Stretch.

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