A former security guard for slain Los Angeles rapper Drakeo the Ruler has testified under oath that he saw rap star YG brandishing a knife and slashing at him during the 2021 backstage brawl that left Drakeo fatally stabbed, according to newly released deposition excerpts obtained by local outlets.
The explosive testimony from Alrick Cooper III, who served as part of Drakeo’s security detail at the Once Upon a Time in LA festival on December 18, 2021, directly implicates YG in the deadly confrontation. Cooper stated YG was “front and center” during the brawl and was one of three men he observed carrying short, improvised knives.
Cooper said YG wore a black ski mask but recognized the rapper by his “hazy eyes,” body type, height, walk and overall demeanor. “He was directly involved in the fight,” Cooper testified. “Front and center.”
The deposition, taken March 19, 2025, was filed last month in a civil lawsuit brought by Drakeo’s family against festival organizers and security contractors.
The security guard described the weapon YG allegedly held as a silver blade 3 to 4 inches long with no visible handle, resembling a prison shank. Cooper said YG produced the knife from his left sleeve and slashed at him, forcing Cooper to back away. “He was slashing me with it.
Like getting me backed up,” Cooper said, though he was not stabbed.
Cooper testified that the attack group included 20 to 25 people who surrounded Drakeo’s party near the artist entrance. Some wore red clothing, ski masks or hoodies. Festival security, according to Cooper, closed two gates that could have served as escape routes, trapping Drakeo’s group.
“They actually closed the gates and trapped us in where we couldn’t leave,” he said.
The confrontation escalated, and Cooper said he initially struck one of the approaching men before finding himself fighting YG and a man described as YG’s bodyguard. Drakeo was positioned a foot or two behind Cooper. After YG produced the knife, Cooper backed up, and the attackers swarmed Drakeo.
Police arrived almost simultaneously and broke up the fight.
Cooper also identified two other men near YG with similar weapons: one described as a bald black man about 5’9 or 5’10 with light brown or hazel eyes wearing a blue patterned crewneck shirt, and a third man similar in size with dreadlocks. Cooper estimated YG’s height at 6’1 or 6’2.
During the fracas, Cooper heard taunts directed at Drakeo, including “Is this Draco? Is that who I think it is? What you want to do?
Now we finally got him.” He also reported hearing Blood gang expressions such as “Suwoop. What’s up, Blood?”
and seeing individuals beating their chests.
Cooper acknowledged the person he identified as YG wore a black ski mask that exposed only the area around his eyes. Asked how he could be certain of the identification, Cooper said he had met YG “a lot” and recognized his eyes, walk, and demeanor. He also recalled an earlier encounter outside a recording studio where YG approached Drakeo and asked, “What’s up with all that internet stuff?”
The deposition excerpts surfaced as part of a February 2022 lawsuit filed by Drakeo’s son and other relatives against Live Nation, C3 Presents, Bobby Dee Presents, and several security contractors. The suit alleges that the companies failed to protect Drakeo from a foreseeable attack. YG is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but the allegations have intensified scrutiny of the rapper.
This testimony comes just days after California Highway Patrol officers, assisted by the Burbank Police Department SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a Burbank property and briefly detained YG, whose real name is Keenon Jackson. YG was released after the search and was not arrested. A CHP spokesperson said the agency cannot comment on the ongoing investigation, and no one has been arrested in Drakeo’s murder.
YG has denied involvement in Drakeo’s death, reportedly addressing the allegations in his June 2026 song “We Know The Truth.” In the track, he claimed he only learned upon arriving to perform at the festival that someone had been stabbed. Representatives for YG did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The civil lawsuit against festival organizers is moving forward. All parties are set to appear in court on August 13, 2026, for hearings covering motions to dismiss brought by Bobby Dee Presents and Live Nation. The deposition of Alrick Cooper adds a dramatic and potentially pivotal layer to both the civil case and the ongoing criminal investigation.
Drakeo, born Darrell Caldwell Jr. , was a rising star in the Los Angeles rap scene known for his distinctive flow and raw lyrics. His death at age 28 sent shockwaves through the music community.
The Once Upon a Time in LA festival was intended as a celebration of local hip-hop, but instead became the scene of a tragedy that remains unsolved five years later.
Cooper testified that the attack was not spontaneous. He cited Drakeo’s 2021 song “Inglewood Swat,” interviews, and music released by artists associated with both camps as evidence of an escalating dispute. Cooper recalled a summer 2021 interview featuring YG and two other artists in which, according to Cooper, someone said, “We don’t do that internet stuff.
The homies going to get you.”
Cooper said that history led him to warn Drakeo before the festival that more security was needed. He believed there was a substantial chance the two artists or their entourages would encounter each other as Drakeo left the stage or festival grounds. Despite the warning, the attack still occurred.
The deposition has reignited public debate about the fine line between rap beef and real-world violence. Cooper’s testimony suggests the conflict between YG and Drakeo went beyond lyrics and social media posts. “We not rap beefing, we really beefing,” the transcript quotes YG as saying in the same interview Cooper referenced.
Law enforcement sources say the search warrant served at YG’s property was directly tied to the Drakeo homicide investigation. The CHP has not confirmed whether YG is a suspect or a person of interest, but the detention and search indicate authorities are treating the deposition as significant evidence.
While Cooper’s account is powerful, it is not without challenges. The identification of YG through a ski mask, even with detailed physical descriptions, could be contested in court. Defense attorneys might question how Cooper could be certain of YG’s identity when only his eyes were visible.
Still, Cooper’s acknowledgment that he had met YG multiple times provides a basis for his identification.
The civil lawsuit does not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, only a preponderance of the evidence. However, the deposition could influence the criminal investigation and potentially lead to charges. No arrests have been made, and the LAPD and CHP continue to investigate.
Family members of Drakeo have remained vocal in seeking justice. The civil suit seeks damages for wrongful death and negligence, but for Drakeo’s loved ones, the primary goal remains finding who was responsible for the fatal stabbing. The deposition gives them a named face.
As the case progresses, all eyes are on the upcoming court hearings in August 2026. The judge will decide whether the lawsuit against the festival organizers can proceed. Meanwhile, the criminal investigation into Drakeo’s murder continues, with Alrick Cooper’s testimony now a central piece of evidence.
YG’s career has continued despite the cloud of suspicion. He performed at major events and released new music, including the track that denied involvement in Drakeo’s death. But the deposition and search warrant have placed him back in the spotlight for reasons he likely hoped were behind him.
The Los Angeles hip-hop community remains divided. Some artists have publicly supported YG, while others have called for transparency and justice. The tension reflects broader issues of violence and loyalty in the industry.
Cooper concluded his deposition by stating that the three men he saw with knives—including YG—were the ones who posed the greatest threat. “Once I saw the stabbing, jabbing motion, I tried to move away from those individuals,” he said. His testimony paints a chilling picture of the final moments before Drakeo was killed.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the stabbing to come forward. The case number remains active, and detectives continue to follow leads. With the new deposition, the investigation has gained momentum.
The world now waits to see whether the testimony of a security guard will lead to an arrest in one of Los Angeles’ most notorious unsolved rap murders. For Drakeo’s family, it is a step toward accountability. For YG, it is a legal and reputational crisis that shows no signs of abating.
