Rapper Ortega Henderson, a friend of Nelly's St. Lunatics crew, died last week from complications from gun shot wounds. The 25-year-old was shot May 16 and later succumbed to his injuries at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Although complete details revealing why Henderson was shot have yet to be released, fellow St. Lunatic's associate Kiyjuan Henderson confirmed the news. "He got mixed up in the streets, but he was so talented, we thought we could pull him out of it," said Henderson. "He was on the right path for a minute, but times are hard and he started getting around the wrong people."
Henderson, who performed under the name "Tega," was an up-and-coming rapper in St. Louis and had been featured on the same bill as rapper Nelly. He was a member of the rap group Da Camp and was working on their album prior to the shooting. The group was hoping gain more exposure through their affiliation with St. Lunatics member Murphy Lee.
Unfortunately for Henderson's his criminal past may have gotten the best of him. His legal troubles include first-degree felony tampering with a motor vehicle and unlawful use of a weapon charges.
Friends and family mourned the young rapper's death during a memorial service last week. "He loved his family and his extended family, and he was very supportive of the neighborhood," said Henderson's cousin, Sean Smith. "He lasted days in the hospital. He had the heart of a champion in his body." Henderson's funeral will be held Thursday in St. Louis.
Departed Music Personalities
Jay Bennett, May 24: The multi-instrumentalist and former member of Wilco passed away in his sleep in May 2009 of unknown causes. He was 45 years old.
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Dolla, May 18: The Atlanta-based rapper, whose real name is Roderick Anthony Burton II, was gunned down outside a Los Angeles mall. Burton's publicist told reporters he was waiting at a valet stand after a shopping trip when a gunman shot him. The The 'Make a Toast' star was 21.
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Stephen Bruton, May 9: The guitarist and songwriter, who worked with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson, died from complications of throat cancer in May 2009. He was 60.
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Ean Evans, May 6: The Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist died in May 2009 after what the band called "a valiant battle with an aggressive form of cancer."
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Vern Gosdin, April 29: The country hit-maker, best known for songs like 'I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)' and 'I'm Still Crazy,' died in Nashville from complications due to a stroke.
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Rev. Timothy Wright, April 23:The two-time Grammy-nominated gospel singer died following a July car crash that took the lives of his wife and his grandson.
Mark Q. Murray, AP
David "Pop" Winans, April 9: The gospel music patriarch -- BeBe and CeCe are his kids -- was twice nominated for Grammys, in 1989 for his album with wife Delores, pictured, and again in 1999 for a solo album. He died at a Nashville hospice, seven months after suffering a heart attack and stroke.
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Bud Shank, April 2: The alto saxophonist and flutist died at age 82. He was most famous for his work with acts like the Mamas and the Papas and his flute work can be heard on their song 'California Dreamin'.'
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Hal Durham, March 29: He was a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry stage, working at the famed country music institution for 32 years. He was 77.
Donnie Beauchamp, Gaylord Entertainment / AP
Dan Seals, March 25: The singer, who scored a number of pop and country hits, died at 61 of leukemia. Seals was half of the pop duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley, best known for the ballad, 'I'd Really Love to See You Tonight.'
Beth Gwinn, Retna
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