Hiphop artiste Nicki Minaj is paying tribute to 23-year-old TikToker Marlon Samuels, popularly known as “41 BussHead,” who was tragically shot and killed on December 20, just a day shy of his birthday.
Minaj shared a photo of Samuels with the caption, “You slept in peace for your birthday, sweetheart. Rest up.” This heartfelt message comes after Minaj had previously shown her support for the young TikToker by joining his live stream on December 8 and gifting him seven lions having used his popular slang just days before his untimely passing.
The TikTok personality, a rising star from Rose Heights, Montego Bay, was scheduled to perform at Sting on Boxing Day, Thursday December 26. His shocking death has sent shockwaves through the social media community, with many TikTokers expressing their condolences and outrage over the senseless violence.
Samuels is the second TikToker to fall victim to gun violence this month, the first being Xavier “Niah Gang” Fogah who was shot on December 7 during a live TikTok session.
As Jamaica mourns the loss of the men, concerns over safety and security are growing. Many TikTokers have vowed to avoid public events, while others are calling for greater action to be taken to protect creators.
In light of these incidents, the Jamaican government is facing increasing pressure to address the issue of violence against social media personalities. The Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) has already flagged TikTok as a potential breeding ground for money laundering, sparking renewed debates about the need for greater regulation and oversight.
