The rap feud prosecutors said led to the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph

The trial began Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, for Justin Johnson, who goes by the rap name ‘Straight Drop.’ He faces charges including first-degree murder, unlawful carrying and possession of a firearm, and theft of property in the death of Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr.

During opening statements, prosecutors said Cornelius Smith Jr., also charged in the murder, would testify against Johnson. The defense said Hernandez Govan, accused of ordering the hit against Dolph, would also testify against Johnson.

During his opening statements, Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman said Dolph had been trying to make it on his own and help other artists under the label Paper Route Empire (PRE). The attorney said Dolph had rejected those at another music label, CMG, who had wanted him on their label.

CMG is Collective Music Group, also known as ‘Cocaine Muzik Group’ according to Hagerman’s statements. CMG is Memphis rapper Yo Gotti’s label, which features other acts like Moneybagg Yo, Blac Youngsta, and EST Gee.

Hagerman said Govan would try to identify young rappers to ‘shop’ to CMG. The Deputy DA claimed Johnson and Smith were not well acquainted, knowing each other only through the rap scene.

During his opening, Hagerman said Dolph had ‘diss tracks’ against CMG, and claimed CMG made threats against Dolph. The Deputy DA claimed that 'Big Jook,' Yo Gotti's brother who was murdered in January 2024, placed a $100,000 reward for Dolph’s murder, and that Johnson hoped for ‘rap fame’ for carrying out the job. 

Johnson’s attorney Luke Evans fired back during his opening statements, claiming Govan exploited Johnson, taking him to Atlanta to meet a CMG rep, then leaving Johnson there when Johnson said he wouldn’t “go your way.” Evans claimed Govan threatened to ‘tank’ Johnson and that if “he can’t get a piece, no one can.” 

A friend of Young Dolph also testified during the first day about the rivalry between CMG and PRE, saying Dolph had been shot at in Charlotte and then shot in California by people connected with CMG.

Taking a look online, Johnson, aka ‘Straight Drop,’ has released several songs. An Instagram page for Straight Drop shows more than 60,000 followers and 11 posts, the last of which came in May 2024.

His YouTube channel shows 19 videos, seven of which dropped in April 2024, while he remained in jail awaiting trial for Dolph’s murder.

In November 2022, Johnson had his phone, writing, and visitation privileges suspended after reportedly releasing a song on YouTube. The judge called it an inappropriate recording and ordered Johnson placed in "administrative segregation,” suspending his phone, writing, and visitation privileges. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman called it “just a rap song.”

Young Dolph was fatally shot at Makeda's Cookies on Airways Boulevard on Nov. 17, 2021. Police said at the time two men got out of a stolen Mercedes-Benz and fired shots into Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, where Young Dolph was making a purchase. Police released photos taken from surveillance video that captured the shooting, which they said led to the arrests.

Under Tennessee law, Johnson faces the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole if found guilty.