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.
Patrick Ford, Redferns / Getty Images
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.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
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.
Ebet Roberts/Redferns , Getty Images
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."
Rusty Russell , Getty Images
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.
Chuck Krall / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
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.
Arnold Turner, WireImage / Getty Images
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'.'
GAB Archive / Redferns / Getty Images
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
Reader Comments(1 of 16)
namarrkoat 6-03-2009
Angelina Jolie sex tape: http://tr.im/mYf9
jennifer9030at 6-03-2009
i wouldn't call a rapper a musician. rappers can't play instruments or sing.
jkmhccat 6-03-2009
"He was on the right path for a minute,"... What of the other 59 minutes? He seems to be just another thug who got shot, not surprising. Then his "Mentors" try to glorify him with the same old crap "He coulda, shoulda..." Just another screwed-up!!!
xstephaniex18at 6-03-2009
just because he got caught up in whatever doesnt mean he deserve to be murdered. He's a young kid. People make mistakes but no one should pay for those mistakes with their life.
I feel for Nelly, he lost his sister a few years ago and now this. Hes been through alot
shyinarizonaat 6-03-2009
You can take the thug out of the streets. But you can't take the streets out of a thug.
citation1947at 6-03-2009
More like, You can take the thug out of the streets. But you can't take the thug out of the thug.
decaturat 6-03-2009
all these thugs are called up and comming rappas exactly when will they be a real rappa, like two pac a day and biggie littles?
ricsow2at 6-03-2009
since when is a rapper a musician.........hes just another piece of trash.....i hope he died in pain
cookingsteakat 6-03-2009
Becareful what u ask for u will get it ten times as bad
tyrdofthablmgameat 6-03-2009
you have a family and putting that hate out comes back to you. YOU did not personally know him which means you are an ignorant SOB, regardless of what he did he is still somebodie's child and he deserves to be loved and missed just like you. I guess you went through life like jesus never doing harm or thinking harmful or ill willed about anyone. Only a perfect person can judge, and judging from your comment you are not perfect. I don't even listen to hip hop, i do not know who this MUSICIAN was but, death is tragic there is nothing prejudiced about that and when your turn comes i hope god reminds you of the hate and dislike you have in your heart. You cant get to heaven with that kind of hate in your heart (that is if you are trying to go) Find love and stop judging.
sxylggsat 6-03-2009
For you to make a statement like that about another human being..you must be living in pain..remember God don't like ugly and afterall regardless of his lifestyle he was and we are god's children...Nobody has a right to take another person's life
eyes2c2007at 6-03-2009
that was cold.
pizzaman7at 6-03-2009
You couldn't have said it better!
MLCOOPER79at 6-03-2009
you freaking idiot! you must be either really stupid or really sick to make a dumb statement like that. My moneys on stupid. Hope you die in a car crash today and suffer for a month you poor excuse of a life. Have good day!
givaat 6-03-2009
thats just not right... Jesus forgives us all, even yu and your statement. we all have stuff*