Philadelphia rapper LGP Qua, known for addressing gun violence in his music, was confirmed dead after being shot in the Juniata Park neighborhood on Mother’s Day.
Qidere Johnson, 30, who performed under the name LGP Qua, was shot just before 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2025, near the intersection of M Street and East Luzerne Street. He was transported by private vehicle to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:56 p.m.
Philadelphia police are actively seeking suspects seen on surveillance footage obtained by NBC10. The video displays two men walking separately at M and East Luzerne streets, with one approaching a car to open the door and the other moving toward the vehicle. A bright flash, likely gunfire, is visible from one of the men.
Police reports indicate the shooting happened amid an attempted robbery when two masked men allegedly tried to take gold chains from Johnson. One of the suspects shot Johnson in the chest and then fled. However, police reports state Johnson sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Johnson was respected in Philadelphia’s hip-hop scene and beyond for his lyrics focused on the city’s gun violence issues. Dubbed “the Voice of the Youth,” his viral freestyle videos on social media garnered millions of views.
Anton Moore, a friend and leader of Unity in the Community, an anti-violence group, lamented the loss. “It hit hard because we don’t want to send that message to our young people that if you’re doing something positive or you got some things going on, you get killed. We don’t want to see that. We don’t want this to be normal to our kids in the neighborhood,” Moore said.
Moore told NBC10 he had known Johnson since 2018 when the rapper performed at Moore’s South Philadelphia summer block party. Moore works with at-risk youth, providing job and life skills training.
Multimedia host Mina “SayWhat” Llona, who had interviewed Johnson several times, shared her reflections on his influence. She described his music as critiquing life in poverty and offering youth guidance on making positive choices. Llona noted Johnson’s messaging was crucial for young audiences, making his loss particularly significant.
An Instagram page dedicated to funeral updates for Johnson paid tribute by describing him as “a kid with a dream that turned to a man with a vision.” The post emphasized his goal to use rap to positively influence youth in Philadelphia, demonstrating that overcoming challenges was possible for everyone.
Johnson’s death led to tributes from prominent figures in the hip-hop community. Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill shared one of Johnson’s freestyle videos, expressing sorrow over the loss of such talent. Hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz and DJ Kid Capri also posted condolences.
Rapper Vinnie Paz expressed grief on social media, noting the irony of someone advocating against gun violence falling victim to it.
Snoop Dogg also honored LGP Qua by posting a somber tribute on Instagram.
In a 2018 interview with Complex, Johnson detailed how a pivotal moment during incarceration led him to pursue a music career as a means to positively impact his community, rather than continuing on a destructive path.
Law enforcement officials state no arrests have been made regarding the shooting, and detailed descriptions of the suspects have not been released. Philadelphia police are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Johnson’s murder was part of a violent weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which also included the shooting death of a 12-year-old boy filming a music video on East Pastorius Street.
Despite these events, Philadelphia has seen a reduction in homicides in 2025. As of May 11, the city recorded 74 homicides, marking a 21.28% decrease compared to the same timeframe last year, according to police data.
