31st October 1994
A news broadcast was aired across all major news channels in the country.
"At around 12:00 midnight yesterday, a gang-related incident occurred at Philadelphia Fifth Square. Young artist Tjay and rapper Reggie were reportedly attacked by a local gang known as Bloods 64 following an altercation earlier that day." "Tjay and Reggie have both been shot. Their current condition remains unknown. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available." Sydney Price ABC News
"This is a developing story out of Philadelphia Fifth Square. Authorities confirm that two young performers, Tjay and Reggie, were involved in a shooting incident linked to a gang altercation earlier in the evening." Melissa Grant CNN
"Breaking tonight, chaos in Philadelphia as rising artist Tjay and rapper Reggie were shot in what officials believe is gang-related violence. Police are currently investigating the involvement of Bloods 64." Guy Robert Fox News
"We are following urgent breaking news from Philadelphia, where musicians Tjay and Reggie were shot after an apparent confrontation with a local gang. Their medical status has not yet been released." Daniel Santos MSNBC
In a local television station in California, primarily catering to Black audiences, KCAL News.
"Big Rome, you were involved in gang activity when you were younger, and served twenty years of sentence with a clean record. You also have connections with several prominent rappers and musicians."
"What you think about this, Rome?"
Rome was a large Black man wearing multiple gold chains and dark sunglasses. His expression was serious and composed.
"Look, Mike, I think it's pretty straightforward. Excuse my language, but Reggie and his crew f**ked around with somebody they shouldn't have f**ked around with."
"You know what I'm saying? They should've known better."
"You go to Philly to perform, so perform n*gga, do your job. That's it. You don't go there getting into it with the other side."
"Ain't been real tension between us in months, but what happened to Reggie might be the spark that brings that whole rivalry right back up."
"What about Tjay?" Mike asked.
Rome squinted, his expression tightening with a hint of regret.
"He wasn't really affiliated with nobody. Kid was born in Burbank. He's basically what people call an industry plant. Him working with Reggie did raise some eyebrows, but the kind of music they were making, his ties to any gang activity were always questionable."
"So he ain't really have the kind of pull that'd spark beef between the West Coast and the East Coast, but I'll say this, his track "Thrift Shop," even though it was a massive hit and went platinum, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way."
"What do you mean?" Mike looked confused.
"Thrift Shop' basically be a parody of gangster rap, right?"
Mike was startled and shook his head. "I wouldn't say that. I always felt like he was trying to show people it's okay to be yourself."
"That's what mainstream media say," Rome replied, nodding toward the anchor. "But from what the so-called critics say, and from what I've heard, people in the streets see it different. They think it's a parody, like he mocking their lifestyle. And the fact that he's an industry plant, a kid from Burbank, coming in and mocking their way of life, that ain't sit right with a lot of people, East Coast and West Coast both."
"But those critics are just racist. That got nothing to do with Tjay, though."
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"You might be right, Mike, but who gon' tell the bruhs that?"
"They see a critic who usually be dissing Ice Loc's song, Young Caine's song, and even Kig Caz's album, and then suddenly he praising this dude. Remember, these the same guys that dissed the East Coast rappers as well. Red Rum, New Blood, and The Trigger ain't get no good reviews from them either. They gon' think there's something going on between 'em."
"I think that might be part of why this situation escalated so quick, especially with him being around Reggie."
"So you think Tjay was the spark?"
Rome lifted his hands slightly and shrugged.
"I ain't making no accusations. I'm just saying, even if Reggie was the one directly in the altercation, Tjay's presence might've pushed things in Philly over the edge."
"But Big Rome, Tjay been to Philly before too, right after Trift shop dropped. That was actually his second tour there, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, but remember, that first tour, the song wasn't nearly as big as it is now. And he was only there for a single day. Sources also say Tjay was strapped that first tour, too."
The interview continued, but Ajay could take it no longer. He gripped the remote tightly and threw it against the wall.
"Bang!"
It shattered into several pieces, and he leaned back, hands on his head, feeling absolutely terrible.
He was supposed to start recording the vocals today, but after getting a call from Shakeel and understanding what happened, he postponed the session and even called Vincent to stay home.
"How did it all go wrong?"
Ajay couldn't help but mutter. Tjay was supposed to be a rising star in the entertainment industry, a supernova that was bound to leave his mark in the musical legacy of Hollywood, but according to what Shakeel said, a stray bullet had pierced Tjay's neck, and his life and death were unknown.
Ajay felt depressed. If he were in his current position, it was undeniably because of Tjay. Although Ajay was almost killed the first time he met Tjay, he had been treated fairly ever since. Tjay had been extremely fair and helpful to him, so much so that Ajay did not think he would ever be able to repay the favour, even if he gave him several songs from his previous life.
But now, such a guy was in the hospital, battling between life and death.
He spent several hours lying on the sofa, not moving an inch. His thoughts were chaotic, and his mind was in disarray. Just then, the telephone rang.
Ajay immediately shot up to his feet and arrived at the landline in two steps.
He snatched the telephone right off the wall and restlessly put it to his ear. "Hello," he said.
"Tjay. He... sob"
Ajay's heart felt like it had dropped to his stomach.
It was Bryce's voice, and he sounded completely devastated. That could only mean one thing.
"He's dead?" he asked, but his throat was so dry that the words barely came out.
"He's dead?" he asked again, this time barely audible, as though a knot had tightened in his throat.
The sobbing on the other end intensified, and Ajay already knew the answer. He dropped the phone and collapsed onto the sofa, tears lining his eyes.
A day later, news updates began flashing across television screens nationwide.
"This is a confirmed update from Philadelphia. Officials have stated that rising artist Tjay has succumbed to injuries sustained during the shooting at Fifth Square. Rapper Reggie remains in critical condition, with doctors continuing emergency treatment." Sydney Price ABC News
"Breaking developments out of Philadelphia tonight, as authorities confirm the death of young artist Tjay following a gang-related shooting earlier this week. Police say the investigation into the Bloods 64 connection is still ongoing." Melissa Grant CNN
"Philadelphia police have now confirmed that Tjay, one of the victims in the Fifth Square shooting, has died from his injuries. Reggie remains hospitalised as investigators continue to search for suspects linked to the Bloods 64 gang." Guy Robert Fox News
"We are now confirming reports that artist Tjay has died following the shooting in Philadelphia earlier this week. His collaborator, Reggie, is still fighting for his life in critical condition as authorities expand their investigation." Daniel Santos MSNBC
A day later,
Ajay woke up feeling completely devastated and empty. He got ready to attend the funeral, dressing himself in a traditional black suit. It felt heavy, almost as heavy as his heart.
At the venue, the atmosphere was silent. He saw many artists, many he recognised, gang-affiliated members he had met at the cookout, and even people from the company. Shakeel was there, sadness hanging in his eyebrows. Ajay stood still for a moment, thinking about greeting them, but in the end, he avoided it. He didn't feel like it. His thoughts drifted back to something Tjay had once told him: he had no father; it was his mother who raised him alone.
He looked around and found the grieving woman, a thin Black woman, her face lined with wrinkles, looking absolutely devastated. He placed the flowers on the casket, lowered his head respectfully, and greeted her quietly, "Tjay was like a brother to me. I'm sorry for your loss," he said. The lady looked up, her eyes devoid of any life, unable to find the right words and exhausted. She simply nodded.
Ajay knew that there was nothing more he could do, so he quietly left.
For the first time, Ajay learned Tjay's real name: Tobias Emmanuel Nwafor. He had never known him by that name before. He never knew he was a child of a hard-working first-generation African immigrant either, and hearing it now made him sigh at the impermanence of life.