As Renauld Shelton reminisces about his memories of Kansas City rapper Kevion Bifford, who tragically passed away last month at the young age of 37, his last recollection of him comes to mind.
Bifford was experiencing a surge in his career as 2Gunn Kevi and was recently recognized as the best male rap artist in the Kansas City’s People’s Choice awards.
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A week or so before Bifford’s death, Shelton was enjoying himself and catching up with his uncle at his house.
Reflecting on the good times they shared together, Shelton fondly remembers attending a boat party celebrating the birthday of rapper FunkMaster Flex, as well as their time in New York when Bifford was pursuing his music career. “It was always a good time,” Shelton remarked.
According to Shelton, they simply had a good time hanging out together. He shared that the musician was in town for a couple of weeks, trying to improve his musical skills and searching for a deal and management that could assist him in taking his career to the next level.
Bifford had reached the cusp of success in his rap career before his untimely demise. His talent had opened doors for him to collaborate with prominent local artists such as Tech N9ne, Studio B, and Suli4Q.
According to Shelton, Bifford had a strong commitment to both his music career and business ventures following his imprisonment for admitting guilt in drug and firearms-related federal charges. He made a conscious decision to put his past street life behind him and focus entirely on his music. As an artist, he was making significant progress when an unfortunate incident occurred, leaving his loved ones and dedicated fan base devastated.
As of now, there have been no arrests made by the police in relation to the case. However, the investigation is still ongoing and the authorities are actively pursuing leads to uncover more information.
Shelton expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “It’s certainly a tragedy and I am devastated by what happened.”
Authentic rap artist
According to Bifford, he began his rap career in 2003 in his aunt’s basement, where he used to rap with his cousin, as revealed in an interview with Voyage LA Magazine.
In an interview with the publication, Bifford expressed, “When I rap, I believe I excel in portraying the streets, the struggles, and the genuine emotions that come with it. I feel like many people can connect with my music, not necessarily on a particular topic, but on a broader level. Anyone who has experienced loss, pain, or challenges can relate to what I create.”
According to him, the reason he wrote was not just to make it sound natural and spontaneous, but to make his music authentic. He strongly believed that his fans and listeners could connect and resonate with his music if it felt genuine and real.
According to Walter Edwin, also known as “The Popper,” Bifford was not your average rapper.
According to The Star, Edwin expressed his sorrow regarding the loss of a very articulate individual who he believed would have made a significant impact. He stated that this was a huge loss and someone he would have liked to see succeed.
Through his raps, he conveyed his personal experiences, including his hardships and triumphs, and how he became a prominent figure in Kansas City. His music also tells the story of his journey from where he started to where he is now.
According to Edwin, the lyrical representation of Kansas City by the artist was something that caught his attention. He appreciated the raw and authentic way in which the artist described not only his own neighborhood but also the other neighborhoods of the city. To Edwin, it was like listening to a soldier’s firsthand account of the front line.
‘Next guy up to have a great impact on music’
According to Shelton, he was introduced to Bifford by his uncle when he was just 15 years old. His uncle brought Bifford over to his father’s house to introduce him to a producer in the neighborhood.
Through the passage of time, Shelton perceived him as an individual with a strong drive and determination towards success.
According to him, the individual had been attempting to move on from his past life, which he eventually succeeded in doing. However, it was unfortunate that God had other plans for him.
According to Shelton, he believed that the individual in question was poised to make a significant impact on the music industry, not only in Kansas City but worldwide. “He was definitely the next guy up,” Shelton stated, emphasizing his potential to revolutionize the music scene.
During his teenage years, Edwin developed a close bond with Bifford and it was during this time that he discovered his talent for rapping. Bifford even contributed to some of Edwin’s albums in 2006 and 2007. Following Bifford’s release from prison, the two collaborated on a track called “My Life.”
Edwin recalled how Bifford amazed him with his rap skills during their collaboration on a particular song. Bifford even rapped verses from his old songs dating back to 1998 and 1999 when he used to go by the name “Dun-Deala.”
He shared that at times, he observed the way the talented rapper would flawlessly perform one of his verses from as far back as ’98 or ’99, reciting the entire verse without skipping a beat. Witnessing this left him in awe, wondering how this skilled artist knew every word of his verse. Moreover, it motivated him to keep striving forward with more drive and determination. Looking at this rapper, he found solace in the fact that there was someone out there who could carry on his legacy.
Bifford’s rap skills left Edwin in awe, and he couldn’t help but express his admiration. Edwin shared that hearing Bifford rap his verses was both inspiring and surprising.
Edwin wishes to preserve the memory of the man that his father truly was – a great father and a prominent figure in Kansas City. He remembers his father as a trendsetter and a dependable individual who wholeheartedly represented the 816 area code.
According to Shelton, the person in question was a true inspiration for turning their life around and living it to the fullest. Moreover, he inspired Shelton to strive harder and pursue his own dreams.
According to his obituary, Bifford’s funeral services took place on Friday. He is survived by his parents, six siblings, three children, and his partner.
