Hernandez Govan faces trial for orchestrating Young Dolph's murder

In November 2021, the rapper Young Dolph was fatally shot at a cookie shop in Memphis, Tennessee, while he was distributing Thanksgiving turkeys to families. The act shocked the entertainment community and highlighted issues of gun violence in the area. Hernandez Govan, aged 45, was indicted on charges including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted murder approximately a year after the incident. Though Govan did not pull the trigger, prosecutors claim he directed the individuals who executed the shooting. Justin Johnson, previously convicted of first-degree murder in 2024, was linked to the shooting where testimonies indicated that Anthony 'Big Jook' Mims had organized a $100,000 hit on Young Dolph due to personal vendettas stemming from diss tracks. Witnesses revealed that the shooters were in pursuit of Young Dolph during the turkey giveaway event and acted on Govan’s orders. Critical to the case were surveillance footage and phone records supporting the prosecution's claims. Furthermore, Govan's connections to Mims and the motive behind the killing were explored heavily in court, revealing a possible pattern of retaliation against artists associated with Young Dolph's label, Paper Route Empire. Mims himself had been shot dead shortly before Govan's trial, amplifying the narrative of inter-artist rivalry and revenge fueling the violence. Prosecutors emphasized the climate of fear and pressure among local artists and how the worship of a violent lifestyle can lead to fatal consequences. Young Dolph's legacy continues with both his music and the outcry for justice addressed by his family. Living familial ties emphasize the emotional aftermath of his death, as many community activists advocate against senseless violence stemming from the feud. As legal proceedings continue, the impact of Young Dolph's untimely demise resonates profoundly within Memphis and beyond, offering a somber reminder of the dangers of gang-related violence in hip-hop culture, particularly in southern U.S. cities like Memphis that have struggled with gun-related incidents in recent years.