“Baby Shark,” originally a catchy children’s tune, has grown from a simple nursery rhyme into a viral phenomenon, thanks to its irresistibly catchy melody.
With its repetitive lyrics and upbeat tempo, the song captured the hearts of kids worldwide, sparking the infamous “Baby Shark Dance” challenge and accumulating billions of views on YouTube. But its journey didn’t end there – “Baby Shark” has even made its way into the hip-hop scene.
In recent years, rappers and producers have taken the song and remixed it with trap beats and rap verses. The song’s viral appeal and repetitive structure made it a surprisingly good fit for rap remixes.
One such remix was created by 22-year-old rapper Ralan Styles.
Today, it was tragically confirmed that the young musician has passed away.
Friends and fellow rappers paid tribute to Styles online.
Rapper Lil Goat, who called Robinson his brother, posted on Instagram: “Not my lil brother, man. I’m still waiting for you to call me and tell me this whole thing is a joke. My heart is f***** broken, I’ll never be the same.”
“We went from rapping at the lunch table together in middle school to becoming superstars. We slept on the floor together, we ate together, we fought together, [and] signed our first deal together. I love you, bro, and as long as I’m alive, you’ll never die.”
Styles’ fans also shared their condolences in the comments, with @sweet_nye writing: “May he rest in peace. I’ve been watching y’all for a long time and loved the chemistry y’all had when making music. I didn’t know him personally, but this really hurt my heart.”
Another commented: “This really just broke my heart. These young men’s videos were good and entertaining. RIP to @ralanstyles. This is unbelievable.”
A third added: “This is devastating. Love you both, hit me.”
Styles, born Michael Robinson on May 23, 2002, was a rapper and songwriter from Tallahassee, Florida, who gained popularity with his viral remix of the children’s song.
His version of the song became a hit, amassing millions of views on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
In addition to “Baby Shark,” Styles had other popular tracks such as “Glocks and Raris” and “Hocus Pocus,” both of which also garnered millions of streams.
Signed to Republic Records, he was known for blending melodic trap with contemporary R&B, drawing influence from artists like Drake and Lil Wayne.
His untimely death was announced on a GoFundMe page, which reads: “Hey family, friends, associates, and supporters of Ralan Styles,
“We are reaching out to everyone whose life was touched by Michael ‘Ralan Styles’ Robinson, a talented artist and kind-hearted soul who left an unforgettable mark on everyone he met. Born and raised in Tallahassee, FL, Ralan was the beloved only child of Juanita Coy.”
“We ask for your support in helping the family with funeral expenses and accommodations for his many fans. Any contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated and considered a true blessing during this challenging time.”
“As we celebrate the incredible life that Ralan lived, we kindly request privacy and understanding while we navigate this difficult period. Together, we honor his legacy, not just as a rising star, but as a person who made the world brighter.”
The 22-year-old rapper was shot and killed in what is believed to be a robbery gone wrong.
Styles was killed early Saturday morning in Columbus, Ohio, during an attempted robbery in which the suspect allegedly tried to steal his chain, Metro reported.
According to The Daily Mail, Columbus Police said officers were alerted to the incident just before 5 a.m. A man flagged them down and directed them to a house where the shooting had occurred.
Robinson, originally from Tallahassee, Florida, was found with multiple gunshot wounds, and the suspect had fled the scene, Metro reported.
Emergency responders tried to save Robinson, but he was pronounced dead around 5:10 a.m.
Mahamood Abdi Hassan, 24, was later arrested and charged with Robinson’s murder, Columbus Homicide Detective Keith O’Connor told The Independent.
Witnesses reportedly identified Hassan from a lineup.
Franklin County court records show Hassan has four prior arrests, dating back to 2018, for offenses such as trespassing and theft.
Hassan is currently being held in Franklin County Jail, and Detective O’Connor indicated that additional charges are expected later this week.
