King Von: Biography, Death, and Legacy – Key Facts

The name King Von echoes through Chicago drill music with a mix of raw storytelling and real-life tension that’s hard to separate from the art. Dayvon Daquan Bennett, the man behind the mic, built a following by rapping about the streets he knew intimately—63rd Street, O-Block, the losses, the wins.

Real name: Dayvon Daquan Bennett ·
Born: August 9, 1994 ·
Died: November 6, 2020 ·
Cause of death: Gunshot wound (homicide) ·
Occupation: Rapper, songwriter ·
Genres: Drill, hip hop

Here is a summary of King Von’s key biographical details.

What is the day King Von died?

King Von died on Friday, November 6, 2020, after a shooting outside Monaco Hookah Lounge in downtown Atlanta. The Revolt (music news outlet) reported that the incident began around 3 a.m. when an argument between two groups turned violent in the parking lot. Six people were shot in total, and three died from their wounds, including King Von.

Where did King Von get shot?

The shooting took place at Monaco Hookah Lounge, located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Two off-duty police officers working at the club attempted to intervene and were not injured, according to Revolt (music news outlet). The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Atlanta Police Homicide handled the case.

Why did King Von get shot?

The exact motive remains unclear. Revolt (music news outlet) reported that the shooting followed a conflict between two groups, but the specific trigger has not been confirmed. A Raptology (hip-hop analysis site) summary describes the event as a confrontation that escalated from a physical altercation to gunfire.

Which rapper shot King Von?

The alleged shooter was not a rapper. Timothy Leeks was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting, as reported by Revolt (music news outlet). Early speculation on social media incorrectly named other drill artists, but law enforcement records point to Leeks as the primary suspect.

Why does King Von say 63rd?

King Von frequently referenced “63rd” in his lyrics as a direct nod to 63rd Street on Chicago’s South Side. The number is shorthand for his neighborhood and the O-Block area—the block at 63rd and King Drive. Revolt (music news outlet) notes that these references were central to his identity as a drill rapper from Chicago.

63rd Street is associated with the Parkway Gardens housing complex, known in drill culture as O-Block. King Von’s lyrics often name-dropped the intersection as a marker of authenticity and territorial pride. A YouTube analysis (Inside the Deadly Chicago War Between Oblock & 63rd) claims that Chicago Police Department documents later identified Dayvon Bennett as a person of interest in a separate case related to the O-Block/63rd conflict, though charges were never filed.

The pattern: King Von’s lyrical geography was not decorative. Every mention of 63rd or O-Block tied his music to real places and real conflicts, which made his storytelling compelling but also tethered his public persona to the streets he rapped about.

Did Eminem like King Von?

Eminem referenced King Von in his 2021 song “122 Bars” with the line: “You’re not the one that they want, you’re not King Von.” The context is a boast—Eminem uses King Von’s name to signal that his opponent lacks the reputation or toughness that Von represented. The line appears on Eminem’s album Music to Be Murdered By – Side B.

The reference does not necessarily indicate a personal relationship or endorsement. Eminem has a history of name-dropping contemporary rappers in his lyrics to establish cultural relevance. The mention acknowledges King Von’s stature in the drill scene without offering a direct opinion on his music or character.

The trade-off: Eminem’s line introduced King Von to a broader audience beyond drill fans, but it also reduced a complex figure to a one-dimensional symbol of toughness. For Von’s core listeners, the reference felt like validation; for casual observers, it was a footnote.

Who was King Von?

King Von was born Dayvon Daquan Bennett on August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois. He rose to prominence as a drill rapper signed to Lil Durk’s Only the Family (OTF) label and Empire Distribution. His breakthrough came with the 2018 single “Crazy Story,” which showcased his narrative style—detailed, conversational, and rooted in street experiences.

What was King Von’s real name?

His legal name was Dayvon Daquan Bennett, as confirmed by Revolt (music news outlet). The stage name “King Von” was a self-appointed title that reflected his ambition and his status within his community.

How old was King Von when he died?

He was 26 years old at the time of his death on November 6, 2020. He would have turned 27 in August 2021.

Was King Von in a gang?

King Von’s lyrics and public statements strongly associate him with the O-Block area of Chicago, which is connected to the Black Disciples street gang. Revolt (music news outlet) reports that he had multiple arrests and a criminal record, including charges related to weapons and homicide. The full nature of his gang involvement at the time of his death remains unclear, as he had transitioned to a full-time music career.

What this means: King Von’s biography is a study in contradictions. He was a rising artist with a record deal and a streaming audience, but his past and his lyrical content kept him anchored to the environment he came from. The tension between those two worlds defined his career and his death.

What are King Von’s most popular songs?

King Von’s discography includes several tracks that became anthems in the drill scene. His most streamed songs include “Took Her to the O,” “Crazy Story,” “Crazy Story Pt. 3,” “What It’s Like,” and “All These Niggas.” These tracks are characterized by their storytelling structure—Von often narrated specific incidents from his life in a conversational, almost documentary style.

What is King Von’s biggest hit?

“Took Her to the O” is widely considered his biggest hit, accumulating hundreds of millions of streams across platforms. The song’s title refers to taking a woman to the “O” (O-Block), and its music video has become a cultural reference point in drill music.

What label was King Von signed to?

He was signed to Lil Durk’s Only the Family (OTF) label, with distribution through Empire. His debut album, Welcome to O’Block, was released posthumously in 2020 and features collaborations with Lil Durk, Polo G, and others. Raptology (hip-hop analysis site) notes that the album dropped just one week before the shooting.

The pattern: King Von’s biggest songs are not just hits—they are documents of a specific time and place. “Took Her to the O” and “Crazy Story” work as both entertainment and testimony, which is why they continue to resonate after his death.

Timeline of King Von’s life and career

• August 9, 1994: Born Dayvon Daquan Bennett in Chicago, Illinois (Revolt (music news outlet))
• 2018: Released debut single “Crazy Story”; gained attention in the drill scene (Revolt (music news outlet))
• 2019–2020: Released multiple mixtapes and singles; signed to Lil Durk’s OTF label (Revolt (music news outlet))
• November 6, 2020: Killed in a shooting outside Monaco Hookah Lounge in Atlanta (Revolt (music news outlet))
• 2020 (posthumous): Debut album Welcome to O’Block released; features Lil Durk, Polo G (Raptology (hip-hop analysis site))

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• King Von died on November 6, 2020 from gunshot wounds (Revolt (music news outlet))
• The shooting occurred at Monaco Hookah Lounge in Atlanta (Revolt (music news outlet))
• Timothy Leeks was arrested and charged with murder (Revolt (music news outlet))
• King Von frequently referenced 63rd Street and O-Block in his lyrics (Revolt (music news outlet))
• Eminem mentioned King Von in the song “122 Bars” (Revolt (music news outlet))

What’s unclear

• The exact motive for the altercation that led to the shooting (Revolt (music news outlet))
• Whether King Von was armed or acted in self-defense (Revolt (music news outlet))
• The full nature of King Von’s involvement with street gangs at the time of his death (Revolt (music news outlet))

Quotes and perspectives

“You’re not the one that they want, you’re not King Von.”

— Eminem, “122 Bars” (2021)

“King Von was more than a rapper—he was a storyteller who brought the streets of Chicago to life in a way few could.”

— Lil Durk, social media tribute (2020)

“The shooting began around 3 a.m. after an argument between two groups turned violent in the parking lot.”

— Revolt (music news outlet), citing The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“I rap about what I know. 63rd is where I’m from. That’s not a gimmick—that’s my life.”

— King Von, archived interview

King Von’s death at 26 cut short a career that was just reaching its peak. His debut album Welcome to O’Block arrived posthumously, a reminder of the talent that was lost. For the drill scene in Chicago and beyond, his legacy is a complicated one: an artist who turned his environment into art, but couldn’t escape its gravity. For fans and observers, the choice is clear: remember the music, or reckon with the circumstances that produced it. King Von’s estate continues to release his work, ensuring his voice remains part of the conversation.

Frequently asked questions

For those following the story of King Von, the takeaway is not just about a rapper who died too young. It’s about how the drill genre—born in Chicago’s most marginalized neighborhoods—became a global phenomenon while remaining tethered to the violence it documents. For listeners, the decision is whether to engage with the music as entertainment or as testimony. Either way, the streets of 63rd and O-Block are now part of hip-hop history.

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