Remembering the Lives of Armani Kelly, Montoya Givens and Dante Wicker: A Call to End Gang Violence

The Michigan State Police (MSP) revealed on Friday that the murder of three missing rappers who had been found dead in a Highland Park apartment was gang-related.^[0] Armani Kelly of Oscoda, Montoya Givens of Detroit, and Dante Wicker of Melvindale had all been supposed to perform at Lounge 31 in Detroit on January 21st, but the show was abruptly canceled and they went missing for nearly two weeks.^[1]

Marley Whoop, alias of 27-year-old Kelly from Oscoda, was a performer.^[2] Wicker, 31, of Melvindale, used the stage name B12, and Givens was also 31 years old.^[3] According to the Detroit Free Press, they all came together in prison.^[3]

The MSP tweeted, “We know there are a lot of media/social media rumors about this investigation. While we have to keep some things private, we know a couple of things: There is no one in custody for this homicide. This homicide was not random and had nothing to do with music or a performance. This was a gang violence-related incident.”^[3]

The agency also added, “There are other people that know the details and we need them to come forward. Together we can bring closure to these families.”^[0]

It is important to remember that gang violence is a real issue in the United States, and these three lost lives remind us of the importance of recognizing and addressing the issue. We urge anyone with information to come forward and help bring closure to the families of Armani Kelly, Montoya Givens and Dante Wicker.

0. “Police say murder of 3 rappers who went missing after canceled Detroit gig was gang-related” WDIV ClickOnDetroit, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2023/03/17/police-say-murder-of-3-rappers-who-went-missing-after-canceled-detroit-gig-was-gang-related/

1. “Mom fights to get vacant building torn down where her son, 2 others found dead” WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.wxyz.com/news/mom-fights-to-get-vacant-building-torn-down-where-her-son-2-others-found-dead

2. “Missing rappers found dead in Detroit were killed in gang-related violence: police” Yahoo Life, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/missing-rappers-found-dead-detroit-202600964.html

3. “State Police: 2 rappers, friend found in Highland Park were killed in gang violence” Detroit News, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/03/17/state-police-2-rappers-friend-found-in-highland-park-were-killed-in-gang-violence/70021072007/