Houdini (rapper)

Jenkins started his career in 2016, taking on the stage name "DaHoudini", (he adopted the shorter "Houdini" stage name in 2018). He began to release various freestyles through social platforms. He gained recognition having featured on the single 456 alongside TallupTwinz and Burna Bandz released on August 17, 2017. Canadian rapper Robin Banks founded UpTop Movement Inc. in the same year, a record label based in Toronto. The record label showcases young and upcoming artists from the North-West end of Toronto and signed Houdini to the label.[4][5]

Houdini released the single Late Nights featuring Burna Bandz on May 8, 2018. The music video amassed millions of views within a month of being released.[6]

On April 1, 2018, Houdini and fellow associates such as Burna Bandz, Pressa, Robin Banks and other UpTop Movement artist. Dropped a joint mixtape featuring 27 songs titled Northside Jane including "Late Nights", "One of Mines" and "No Favours" which combined have just under 10 million views on YouTube.[7]

Houdini released his debut mixtape Hou I Am on February 13, 2019.[8] The mixtape featured guest appearances from NorthSideBenji, Burna Bandz, Tallup Twinz, Pressa,[9] and J Neat.[10] The album peaked at 27 on the Canadian Independent Music Charts.[11] Houdini was featured on NorthSideBenji's single "Levels",[12][13] which was certified gold by Music Canada on April 7, 2020.[14] On April 18, 2019, Houdini released an acoustic version of his single Myself with viral ukulele player Einer Bankz.[15][16]

His second mixtape, Hou Woulda Thought was released on August 2, 2019.[2][17] It was supported by the singles; "Freak",[18] "Kenzo",[19] "Belmont Boyz" and "Ain’t Gon' Cap" and the album lists no featured guests, unlike the previous mixtape. Both mixtapes were released independently via Create Music Group.[20]

His third release, a five-track EP titled underGROUND which released on March 18, 2020. It was the last studio album Houdini dropped while alive. The debut EP was supported by the singles "Big Time" and "Fantastic".[3] In April 2020, 6ixBuzz announced a joint-venture record deal with Warner Music Canada, coinciding with the release of the single "VV's" featuring Killy and Houdini.[21][22]

Jenkins was shot and killed on May 26, 2020, while shopping in Downtown Toronto. A 15-year-old boy and a 27-year-old woman were also injured in the incident but were expected to recover after gunfire erupted around 4 pm outside the Bisha Hotel in Toronto’s Entertainment District. Jenkins was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.[25][26] The following day, Toronto Police released the shooting footage and said that Jenkins was targeted in an orchestrated "gang attack". Rappers and associates including NorthSideBenji, Pressa, Killy, Tory Lanez and Meek Mill paid tribute to the artist.[27][28] A warrant was issued for Eleijah Robinson on May 30, 2020, in connection with the murder.[29][30]

• List of murdered hip hop musicians