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Biography
Yafeu Akiyele Fula (October 9, 1977 – November 10, 1996), better known by his stage name Yaki Kadafi, was an American rapper and a founder and member of the hip hop groups Outlawz and Dramacydal.
Early life and education
Yafeu Fula was born in the Bronx, New York City, on October 9, 1977, to Sekou Odinga and Yaasmyn Fula. When he was four years old his father Sekou Odinga was arrested and imprisoned; he was raised by his mother and adopted her surname.
Kadafi's parents were both members of the Black Panther Party. Yaasmyn Fula and Tupac Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur, were close friends, and Kadafi and Tupac were friends until their respective deaths in 1996. Kadafi has two daughters.
Career
In 1994, Fula met up again with his childhood friend Mutah "Napoleon" Beale. Yaasmyn Fula, the mother of Yafeu, introduced Napoleon to Tupac Shakur, and all three created Dramacydal. Yafeu, only 16, took on the stage name "Young Hollywood". The group appeared on Tupac's album Me Against the World.
In 1995, upon Tupac's release from prison, Kadafi met with him to sign with Death Row. He guest-starred on Tupac's All Eyez on Me and was featured on three songs. The Outlawz recorded frequently with Tupac throughout 1996.
Fula also teamed up with fellow Outlawz member Hussein Fatal to record material under the name "Fatal-N-Felony".
On September 13, 1996, Tupac died after being shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting near the Las Vegas Strip on September 7. Kadafi was in the car directly behind Tupac, and claimed to have seen a white Cadillac pull up alongside him and open fire.
Death
On November 10, 1996, Fula was shot dead in Orange, New Jersey. Police found his body in the hallway of a friend's apartment building upon responding to a report of gunfire. He was 19 years old. Fellow Outlawz rapper Napoleon, whose cousin Rashad "Roddy" Beale had killed Fula, said in a 2017 interview that Beale had called the shooting accidental and turned himself in to police, and served "7 or 8 years" in prison. Fula's mother responded that his death was intentional as Beale had threatened Fula beforehand, and claimed that Beale's family had also threatened witnesses. Fula is buried at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield.
Discography
Solo albums
- Son Rize Vol. 1 (2004)
Collaboration albums
- Still I Rise(1999)
Guest appearances
- Me Against The World (2Pac album) ("Me Against the World"; "Outlaw")
- All Eyez on Me (2Pac album) ("All Bout U"; "When We Ride")
- The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (2Pac album) ("Hail Mary"; "Just Like Daddy")
- Gang Related (soundtrack) ("Starin' Through My Rear View"; "Made Niggaz")
- R U Still Down? (Remember Me) (2Pac album) ("Enemies With Me"; "When I Get Free II")
- Greatest Hits (2Pac album) ("Hail Mary"; "Me Against the World"; "Hit 'Em Up"; "All Bout U")
- Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000 ("Who Do U Believe In")
- Until the End of Time (2Pac album) ("M.O.B."; "Runnin' On E"; "U Don't Have 2 Worry")
- Better Dayz (2Pac album) ("Fuck 'Em All"; "Late Night"; "Fame"; "There U Go"; "Who U Believe In"; "They Don't Give a Fuck About Us")
- Tupac: Resurrection (2Pac album) ("Secretz of War"; "Starin' Through My Rear View")
- Pac's Life (2Pac album) ("Don't Sleep"; "Soon As I Get Home"; "Don't Stop"; "Untouchable")
