Chaka Zulu, manager of Ludacris Charged with Murder

Music executive and long time manager of rapper Ludacris, named Chaka Zulu, has surrendered to the police earlier this week on Monday, September 13th. While jail records show he was immediately charged with aggravated assault, simple battery, and possession of a firearm, he was also released on a $200,000 bond. 

Today Zulu, real name Ahmed Obafemi, was officially charged for murder in connection to a shooting that happened in Atlanta on back June 26th. The shooting happened outside a Buckhead shopping center in which Zulu and another person were wounded, and 23-year-old Artez Benton was killed. Police said an altercation in the parking lot led up to the fatal shooting.

Zulu’s attorney, Gabe Banks, released a statement:

“Mr. Chaka Zulu, a beloved son of the City of Atlanta, is disappointed in the Atlanta Police Department’s decision to bring charges against him surrounding the shooting that occurred in June 2022. A close review of all of the evidence, including the surveillance footage and eyewitness interviews, reveals that Mr. Zulu was attacked and jumped from behind by a gang of at least four (4) individuals (sadly including the decedent) and was forced to defend himself after this gang repeatedly stomped, punched, and kicked him while he was on the ground in a defenseless posture.

Mr. Zulu was shot in the back during the shooting and nearly lost his life, and is still recovering from the nearly fatal injuries he sustained that evening. Mr. Zulu was at his place of business that night and had every right to defend himself. In an attempt to save his life, Mr. Zulu lawfully discharged his weapon in self-defense, a weapon that he is licensed to carry. Mr. Zulu fully cooperated with law enforcement officials and their investigation, and voluntarily turned himself in once he learned of the arrest warrants. Mr. Zulu remains confident that his name will be cleared of all charges through the judicial process. It is not lost on Mr. Zulu that someone lost his life, but had Mr. Zulu not lawfully defended himself, Mr. Zulu would have been killed that night.”

Ludacris and Zulu’s brother, Jeff Dixon, founded Disturbing Tha Peace Records in 1998. The label signed a long-term deal with Def Jam Recordings in 2008. Zulu was honored earlier this year by the Atlanta Hawks as one of their Forever 404 honorees, and was scheduled to attend a charity event next week honoring the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. 

At this time, the Fulton Police Department has not released information as to how the entrepreneur and manager was charged with murder. He was licensed to carry the weapon and fully cooperated with police.

Banks says Zulu is still recovering from the back injury he sustained after being shot

Monet Anais

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