Hip-hop lost another pioneer, this year, in Jesse "Smiley" Rutland's death.
In the early 2000s, the east coast, along with the rest of the country was obsessed with the latest dance craze that came out of New York. Thanks to "Smiley" and the rest of his Crazy Boyz Dance Crew, "The Harlem Shake" was born.
By 2013, its popularity grew immensely after the "Harlem Shake Challenge" was celebrated worldwide. Unfortunately, his notoriety didn't hide him away from gun violence around his Glenwood Road neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Rutland was gunned down at his own house in front of his children, according to fellow founding dance group member, Maurice Strayhorn. Strayhorn posted on the "Original Harlem Shakers" Facebook page that Jesse's six-year-old son was by his father's side trying to revive him before running "out in the snow seeking help from a neighbor." However, the dancer later died at Kings County Hospital.
It didn't take long to arrest the alleged gunman. Kumar Reid had cuffs slapped on his wrists that same day. Reid's attorney, Jay Schwitzman, declared a not guilty plea for his client's second-degree murder and weapons possession charge. If found guilty, Reid will face 25 years to life in prison.
Though Jesse has passed, his imprint on the hip-hop community left a legacy that will surely live on.
Source: nydailynews.com
