KayO Redd, born Coades Scott on June 1, 1986, was emerging as a rapper before tragedy struck in December 2013. Beyond his music career, he was known to many as the younger brother of Waka Flocka Flame and the son of Deb Antney, CEO of Mizay Entertainment.
Redd’s Family Background
Born in Queens, New York, KayO Redd grew up in a family with ties to the music scene. He was one of the three sons of Deb Antney, CEO of Mizay Entertainment, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, like Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, and Lex Luger, to name a few.
As for KayO Redd, he was gradually making a name for himself in the music industry.
His Tragic Demise
On December 29, 2013, in a Georgia subdivision, KayO Redd met a tragic end. Investigators concluded that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Despite the initial shock and confusion surrounding the incident, findings, including the concerns about Redd’s mental health, pointed to suicide.
In the days leading up to his death, Redd remained active on Twitter. He promoted his ‘Redd Kisses’ mixtape and also remembered the two-year anniversary of Slim Dunkin’s 2011 shooting, a fellow member of the Brick Squad crew.
A Family Stricken with Grief, Again
Unfortunately, the family had previously dealt with tragedy. In 2000, a car accident claimed the life of another of Antney’s sons. The incident left a mark on Waka Flocka Flame, who was just entering his teenage years. According to Antney, the rapper also felt responsible for the accident.
Waka Flocka Flame’s Response to the Tragedy
Waka Flocka Flame took steps for personal cleansing and reminisced about the car crash that took the life of another one of his brothers:
“After that situation, I detoxed for like seven days. I changed my diet. I became 85 percent vegan. I just felt like I had to cleanse myself… I’ve been through that before, so to me, that’s willpower because if I sit there and mope, a lot of things could go bad.”
Reflecting on the challenges Redd was struggling with, he continued — still remaining hopeful for the future:
“That boy had a lot of stress on him. It’s a lot of things that go on behind doors that people don’t know about… like it’s a lot of stress that comes with this game. The strong survive. The family is good, though. Life goes on. That’s the motto for me, life goes on. If my eyes ain’t closed, and I’m not breathing, I’m not hurting.”
Moreover, the rapper paused his music career temporarily. In recognition of his efforts, he received an honorary doctorate in philanthropy and humanitarianism from the Bible Institute of America Theology Seminary. The family also initiated the Reckless Internet Posting (R.I.P), aiming to encourage responsible reporting of sensitive topics, especially deaths.