Young Dolph Mourned By Family, Friends, and Fans at Memorial Service in Memphis

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Young Dolph left the world far too soon, but in his 36 years of life, he made an impact on his loved ones, his community, and on music that is impossible to quantify. Taking stock of his uncountable accomplishments and a legacy that will live forever, Dolph’s family and friends hosted a “Celebration of Life,” a public memorial service at Memphis’s FedEx Forum.

Broadcast live on REVOLT, the emotional service touched on all aspects of the rapper’s life as an artist, a role model, a citizen of Memphis, and a family man. The service featured moving performances from Keke Wyatt, Cam Bethany, and Bobbi Storm, and a dance performance set to Dolph’s music by DRAEM.

Watch the service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsYszuKhvDM

The “Celebration of Life” kicked off with an acknowledgment of Dolph’s role in rap game, bringing video tributes from Dolph’s peers in the Southern rap game, including Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, and T.I., fellow Memphis legends Juicy J, 8Ball & MJG, and Gangsta Boo, plus NFL legend Deion Sanders and his son Shadeur, the starting quarterback at Jackson State University, an HBCU in Memphis where Deion is head coach. Bookending the message from Dolph’s peers came messages from Dolph’s Paper Route Empire artists and team, including messages from Snupe Bandz, Big Moochie Grape, Paper Route Woo, and behind-the-scenes figures like his photographers, his booking agent, and his tour manager.

A notable moment a recorded message from Corey Miller, the former No Limit rapper known as C-Murder, who is currently serving a life sentence in prison, and a moving speech from R&B singer Monica, who read a letter from the rapper that revealed that Dolph frequently visited the incarcerated artist in prison (C-Murder was Dolph’s favorite rapper of all time), and made financial arrangements to give assistance to the rapper’s family.

Community leaders like former mayor of Memphis W.W. Herenton, Reverend Earle Fisher, and Principal Michael Bates, Dolph’s former high school geography teacher, attested to Dolph’s dedication to giving back to the community he came from. In honor of his influence and his philanthropic efforts, Tennessee state senator Katrina Robinson officially proclaimed November 17th, the date of Dolph’s passing, to be officially known as the “Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr. Day of Service,” and revealed that the Georgia state legislature passed a resolution to honor that day as well.

Mourners in the FedEx Forum were treated to stories of Dolph’s incredible generosity from the recipients of his largesse, themselves. Jose, who received $25,000 for winning Dolph’s “Penguins” challenge, awarded to the person with the most creative interpretation of Dolph’s verse on that song, spoke about how Dolph’s gift helped him get his life right after his release from prison. Jackie, affectionately known as “Lamborghini Jack,” won Dolph’s “Rich Slave Lamborghini Giveaway,” receiving Dolph’s personal 2018 custom-wrapped Lamborghini Aventador, which she sold for enough money to buy her growing family a home. Timothy Fletcher, a drummer who won Dolph’s “#ThatsMajorChallenge” in 2019 and earned $30,000, reflected on Dolph’s words of wisdom he offered when they met, and credited Dolph for being a role model to him and others.

Most significant were the eulogies offered by Young Dolph’s family, including his beloved Aunt, his cousins, and his siblings. The ceremony closed with a heartfelt message from Dolph’s wife Mia Jerdine, and messages from his 4-year-old daughter Ari, and his son Adolph Robert Thornton III (“Tre Tre”). “If you’re feeling sad about my dad dying,” said Tre-Tre, “I’m going to let you know that everything will be fine. If you don’t know, then I know that I will become a great man just like my dad.”

The “Celebration Of Life” occurred just one day after the City of Memphis named a street in his hometown of Catalia Heights after the rapper. Living on as a permanent reminder of Dolph’s lasting legacy as an artist and citizen, the span of Dunn Avenue between Airways Blvd and Hays Road will heretofore be known as be known as “Adolph Robert ‘Young Dolph’ Thornton, Jr. Avenue.”

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Everywhere At Once Adds Fatboy Slim, Lucy Spraggan, Gene, D Double E, And More To Massive Festival Bill

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Fatboy Slim, Lucy Spraggan, Gene, D Double E and Westside Cowboy are among the latest artists added to the line up for Everywhere At Once, the new nationwide festival being described as a “Glastonbury replacement” during the festival’s fallow year.

The event is being organised by Music Venue Trust in partnership with The National Lottery and is scheduled to take place from June 26 to June 28. The dates coincide with what would normally have been Glastonbury weekend before the festival announced a break for 2026.

Rather than taking place at a single site, Everywhere At Once will spread across hundreds of grassroots music venues throughout the UK.

Across the three day event, venues from Inverness to Penzance will host performances from both major artists and rising acts. The goal of the festival is to reconnect fans with local independent venues while encouraging community support and music discovery.

Becky Hill, Tinie Tempah, The Lathums, Rizzle Kicks, The Divine Comedy and Master Peace had already been confirmed for the event. Now, Music Venue Trust has revealed another wave of performers joining the line up.

Fatboy Slim, Glenn Tilbrook, Lucy Spraggan, Gene, D Double E, P Money and Westside Cowboy are among the newest additions. Tilbrook is set to appear at Theatreship in Canary Wharf, East London, while Spraggan will perform at The Sub Rooms in Stroud.

Gene will also play shows in Southampton, Newport and Lancaster. D Double E is heading to The Brickworks in Nottingham, P Money will perform at Suki10c in Birmingham, and Westside Cowboy are scheduled for a hometown performance at Manchester’s Low Four.

The Lathums have additionally confirmed another date at Preston venue The Ferret after their two previously announced shows sold out within minutes.

Details surrounding Fatboy Slim’s appearance and ticket information are expected to be announced closer to the festival weekend.

Everywhere At Once line-up. CREDIT: PRESS

Speaking about the initiative, Fatboy Slim reflected on the importance of small venues in shaping artists and music culture.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play huge stages all over the world, but grassroots venues are where it all started for me and where music scenes really begin, where artists learn their craft, where communities form, and where people come together purely for the love of it. Without grassroots venues, independent promoters and local crowds taking a chance on something new, none of this exists,” he said.

“These spaces are vital for culture and for local communities, so if there’s anything I can do to help shine a light on them and help keep that spirit alive, I’m more than happy to be involved. And if you care about music, go out and support your local venues, buy a ticket, discover somebody new, and be part of keeping those scenes alive.”

Glenn Tilbrook also shared his thoughts on the value of grassroots venues, reflecting on how important they were during the early years of Squeeze.

“50 years ago Squeeze started out in the small venues of South East London. Later this year we will be playing our biggest UK tour, including at the O2 Arena across the Thames from the Theatreship. I still go out and play solo shows at grassroots venues and some of the best nights I’ve ever had playing music have been in tiny rooms packed with people who just love live music,” he explained.

“These venues don’t just support musicians, they become part of the fabric of local communities,” he added. “They give people a place to meet, connect and discover something new. We need to cherish them, if we lose them, we lose far more than somewhere to see a band. So show your support for your local venue, you never know where the next great artist, or the next great night, might come from.”

 

Lucy Spraggan also spoke about the wider impact grassroots venues have on the music industry, calling live music an “ecosystem”.

“Each night a venue supplies a stage for an artist, that artist is supported by their crew, just as the venue is supported by their staff. You can see the network of livelihoods that entwine through the umbrella that is ‘live music’, it’s pretty endless,” she said.

“There is a career for musicians, crew, artists, tour managers from smaller projects all the way to Taylor Swift sized projects, but only if we have the venues to support them,” she continued. “Grassroots venues give opportunities to a plethora of people and we, as artists and gig goers, breathe life back into the venues. We are all an important part of the ecosystem.”

The festival is being led by Music Venue Trust, Save Our Scene and the Association of Independent Promoters, while The National Lottery continues its support for the grassroots music sector. Their partnership first began in 2021 to help revive live music following the pandemic shutdowns.

During the three day event, fans will also have opportunities to support charities including War Child, Nordoff and Robbins, Help Musicians UK and Teenage Cancer Trust.

The launch of Everywhere At Once comes during a difficult period for the UK live music industry. Recent reports revealed that 30 grassroots venues permanently closed between July 2024 and July 2025, while more than half of the remaining venues operated without profit last year and over 6,000 jobs disappeared from the sector.

 

To help support smaller venues and developing artists, industry leaders have continued pushing for a ticket levy system. Under the proposal, a portion of ticket sales from arena and stadium shows would go toward helping grassroots venues survive and supporting touring artists.

The industry has until June 2026 to ensure that at least 50 per cent of major live events voluntarily contribute to the levy before the UK government considers making it mandatory through legislation. Live Nation has faced criticism for not moving as aggressively as some other companies.

Live Nation, which previously supported Harry Styles donating £1 from every ticket sold for his upcoming Wembley Stadium residency to the LIVE Trust, responded by saying it “supports artists’ choices on charitable donations, and has worked with numerous artists who have contributed to the voluntary levy, from Coldplay to Biffy Clyro, and will continue to do so.”

The levy proposal has often been compared to the financial structure used in Premier League football and received backing from the UK government in 2024.

Earlier this year, grassroots venues also received some relief after the government reversed a planned increase in business rates and introduced additional support measures for pubs and live music venues.

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