Rapper Whose Lyrics Reflected Baltimore's Pain Fatally Shot

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A rising Baltimore rapper who advocated for nonviolence and whose lyrics often reflected the city's trauma has been shot and killed.

24-year-old Dominic Grant, known professionally as Nick Breed, was found Sunday night with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at a hospital soon after.

The Baltimore Sun characterized the artist as a street rapper with calm delivery, who had a melodic side. He collaborated with high-profile Baltimore artists like YBS Skola and Young Moose.

Breed showed versatility with popular remixes or more gritty freestyle accounts of life in Baltimore.

Baltimore director James Jones helped produce several Nick Breed music videos. Jones described his friend as "up-and-coming" with a good fan base. His YouTube videos ranged from 10,000 views to 545,000.

Last month, the city's deadliest in more than a year, he tweeted his desire to see the murder rate drop.

But on Sunday at around 7:30 p.m., Baltimore police say someone shot him in the SW district on Normandy Avenue.

Lil Black, a radio personality at 92-Q said he became close friends with Breed.

"...Little bro ain't deserve that. Regardless of whatever you felt, he didn't. Because at this point, from the conversations I had with him, he was trying to change his life for the best." Lil Black said.

The evolution could be heard in his music.

Breed is yet another local high profile performer gunned down in Baltimore.

In 2016, Lor Scoota was shot and killed after he left a peace rally.

Baltimore rapper Tate Kobang said this is yet another tragic end to a performer who had potential.

"As soon as somebody touches the door to be out and take it to the next level, they lose their life. Scoota, G-Rock," said Tate Kobang.

Police have not announced any arrests for Nick Breed's murder as of now. Anonymous tips can be left at Metro Crime Stoppers 866-7-LOCK-UP.

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• Baltimore City