Montae Talbert aka M-Bone in action
Montae Talbert aka M-Bone From Cali Swag District killed in an apparent senseless drive-by shooting
By Pat Clarke,
Sentinel guest writer
Violence has once again taken the life of one of our aspiring young brothers. On Sunday night Montae Talbert, AKA Rapper M-Bone was the victim of a deadly drive-by shooting in Inglewood while sitting in his car on La Brea Avenue near Hazel Street. He was shot two times in the head while waiting for his two friends to come out of the store. Montae had just left the recording studio where he and Cali Swag District had been working on their music. Many of us know him from the hit song “Teach Me How to Dougie”.
According to news reports, the incident occurred in Inglewood, Calif., Talbert’s hometown. He was reportedly sitting in a parked car when an unknown vehicle pulled up alongside and shot him twice in the head. One of the questions raised is why was he taken to UCLA Medical Center (miles away) when there were hospitals much closer: in Inglewood, Marina, Hawthorne, etc. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Officials at this time are calling the incident a “random act of violence,” and no suspects have been arrested as of yet.
Talbert left behind a promising career. His recent single, “Teach Me How to Dougie,” was hit number 28 on Billboard’s charts last year. One of the group members, Smoove, went on Twitter the day after to lament his friend’s death, and Cali Swag’s representative, Greg Miller, called the late rapper an “inspiration” to those around him, particularly since he was not known to be gang-affiliated.
His close friends know him as a local boy from Inglewood who attended Morningside High and who enjoyed life, and loved his family, friends, and fans. A life cut short at 22 years old. A future so bright, a talent lost. As Marvin Gaye asked “What’s Going On?” Why are our young Black men the victims of these violent, senseless crimes?
The world is sorry for the loss of such a talented young man. I know that justice will be served, and your death will not be vain. May you Rest in Peace.
Pat Clarke
AKA Granny
