The Jacka Dies – Today in Hip-Hop

On this day, Feb. 2, in hip-hop history...

2015: Bay Area rapper, The Jacka, was shot and killed while on the streets of East Oakland, Calif. on Feb 2, 2015.

Born Dominick Newton and raised in Pittsburg, Calif., The Jacka's profile in the rap game was raised in the 1990s as a member of Mob Figaz. The crew's first album C-Bo's Mob Figaz was a minor hit, peaking at No. 63 on the Billboard 200 in 1999 and ending up being certified gold in sales by the end of that year.

In 2001, Jacka branched out and dropped his solo studio debut album, Jacka of the Mob Figaz. As a respected member of The Bay's scene, Jacka continued to supply his fans with a steady stream of street albums and loosies for the better part of the new millennium, working with fellow greats like E-40 and Mistah F.A.B. His 2011 album, Flight Risk, featured Styles P, C-Bo and Yukmouth and peaked at No. 70 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

On the night of Feb. 2, 2015, Jacka was chilling outside on the corners of MacArthur Boulevard and 94th Avenue when an unidentified gunman came and shot him in the head. CBS' local Bay Area affiliate station was the first to report the news of Jacka's death, citing his long-spanning rap career and positive impact in the community. Witnesses did not describe the shooter, specifically telling reporters that “bullets don't have no name.” Jacka was 37 years old at the time of his death.

Though the case remains unsolved, The Jacka has been immortalized by rappers from all over the West Coast who continue to pay tribute to the MC even in his death.

R.I.P. The Jacka!

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