A shocking video confession has led to the dramatic arrest of Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace, with authorities alleging he admitted involvement in the murder of rival rapper Foolio. The arrest, executed by Jacksonville Beach police around midnight, marks a pivotal turn in a years-long feud that has plagued the city’s rap scene and resulted in multiple casualties.
New evidence uncovered by investigators includes footage showing the rapper, whose real name is Hakeem Robinson, explicitly discussing his role in the 2024 killing. This evidence forms the cornerstone of a sweeping investigation targeting the gang ATK, with which Robinson is allegedly affiliated. The sheriff’s office announced it is pursuing RICO charges, indicating a major organized crime crackdown.
The state presented damning digital evidence, including a picture from an associate’s phone showing a bottle of Don Julio liquor the day after Foolio’s death. Detectives testified this was a direct insult to the slain rapper. Further evidence reveals memes sent to suspects mocking Foolio and discussions of bounties placed on rivals.
Within the hour after the news broke, Yungeen Ace panicked, taking to social media to distance himself from ATK. “Ain’t no such thing as ATK no more. That stuff is gone and over with,” he tweeted, followed by a frantic Instagram video where he ranted about legal fees and denied the gang’s existence. Prosecutors were quick to counter this in court, presenting testimony to prove his active membership in ATK and its rivalry with the Six Block gang.
The federal case intensified as it was revealed that Yungeen Ace’s upcoming tour dates were abruptly canceled. The rapper claimed in a video that Jacksonville police systematically worked to sabotage his income, a move legal experts suggest may be intended to limit his resources for mounting a defense. “They always call around to cancel my shows,” he alleged.
Investigators have now implicated a second rapper, known as Queso, in the conspiracy. A confessed gang member claimed in a video that Queso, a main ATK figure, facilitated a $10,000 bounty on Foolio and took credit for the shooting. “I’m the one who smacked Julio Foolio that night… Ace had put that 10K up,” the individual stated.
Queso is already serving a ten-year sentence after pleading guilty to the second-degree murder of Adrian Gainor Jr., known as Lil Bibby, a close friend of Foolio. This connection suggests a cycle of retaliatory violence. An analysis of lyrics shows Yungeen Ace repurposing Foolio’s own lines in a diss track released after the murder, with fans noting the chilling parallels.
The murder occurred in the early hours of a Sunday in Tampa, where Foolio was celebrating his birthday. After a pool party was shut down, the rapper posted the address of a subsequent club location on social media. He and his crew later retreated to a Holiday Inn, where multiple shooters ambushed them. Three men are seen on surveillance footage approaching the hotel before unleashing a barrage of gunfire.
Foolio’s cousin, present during the attack, gave tearful testimony in court, describing the horrific scene inside the car. “First thing I saw, Foolio lay out. I thought it was a car accident,” he stated, before realizing they were under fire. The emotional testimony highlighted the human toll of the conflict.
The investigation revisits a prior incident where Foolio himself was questioned by detectives regarding the 2022 murder of ATK affiliate Mitch. During that interrogation, which was recorded, detectives heavily implied their belief in Foolio’s involvement, suggesting the recent attack was retaliation. “Do you think that your music… had anything to do with [Mitch]?” one detective asked.
In a previously unreported detail, authorities claim ATK feigned interest in a “stop the violence” song collaboration with Foolio’s camp to lull him into a false sense of security before the attack. Foolio had publicly discussed the planned collaboration just one month before his death.
The sheriff sent a direct message following the arrests, stating his department constantly monitors individuals like Yungeen Ace. “He can’t move around in Jacksonville without us knowing about it,” the sheriff affirmed, vowing to continue pressure on the groups involved. With a RICO case building and multiple confessions in hand, prosecutors are painting a comprehensive picture of a violent gang rivalry that culminated in murder.
As the case proceeds, the court of public opinion is scrutinizing every lyric and social media post. The footage of Yungeen Ace’s alleged admission, which he reportedly did not know was being recorded, now stands as the centerpiece of a prosecution aiming to dismantle an entire network of violence tied to the Jacksonville drill rap scene.