What happened?
Jacksonville rapper Hakeem “Ksoo” Robinson has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2020 murder of Charles “Lil Buck” McCormick. His cousin and co-defendant, Leroy “ATK Scotty” Whitaker, received the same punishment in Duval County court on Wednesday (Oct. 1).
Both men were convicted of first-degree murder in July. Prosecutors said Robinson ambushed McCormick in retaliation for a diss track that mocked the death of his stepbrother, Willie Addison, who was killed in 2019. They argued the murder was tied to an ongoing gang rivalry in Jacksonville that spilled into the city’s rap scene.
Gang ties and music at the center
Prosecutors alleged that Robinson and Whitaker were members of ATK, a group feuding with rival gang 6Block, which McCormick was linked to. Robinson allegedly stalked McCormick before opening fire outside a staffing agency in Arlington.
Evidence presented at trial included surveillance video, dash cam footage, shell casings, cell phone records, and social media activity. One Instagram story showing McCormick’s photo with the caption “bye bye” was introduced to demonstrate intent.
Prosecutors also highlighted rap lyrics, including Robinson’s own music, as reflecting gang rivalries that spilled into real life. Defense attorneys countered by claiming the state was criminalizing hip-hop and misinterpreting artistic expression.
Family testimony
The case drew national attention when Robinson’s father testified against him, identifying his son as the shooter. He called it “the hardest thing” he had ever done. Robinson’s attorneys dismissed his credibility, describing him as “no more than a DNA donor.”
During sentencing, McCormick’s mother, Yolanda Perkins, delivered an emotional statement. She described her son as a man of faith and resilience who was “taken for simply saying something others didn’t like.” Perkins urged the community to reject music and messages that glorify violence.
What’s next?
Robinson and Whitaker plan to appeal their sentences. Robinson also faces another murder trial later this month for the 2019 killing of Adrian Gainer, also known as Bibby — a name infamously referenced in Yungeen Ace’s viral track Who I Smoke?
The case remains one of Jacksonville’s most high-profile examples of how rap, gang culture, and real-life violence continue to collide.
