Memphis music news in 2021
Music News

Memphis music news in 2021

As we end the year the same way it began — with concerns of yet another COVID-19 surge — it’s time to look back on the last 12 months of Memphis music. Certainly, the pandemic and its effects continued to be a major story — as they impacted everything from live music to the manufacture of records in 2021. Locally, there were numerous notable developments, projects and, sadly, tragedies that dominated Memphis music culture. 

The death of Young Dolph

While 2021 proved to be another banner year for Memphis rap — on the charts and in the culture — the headlines were largely dominated by legal troubles and tragedies in local hip-hop. 

Without a doubt, the biggest story in Memphis music was the November murder of rapper Young Dolph.

Dolph was killed after two suspects fired through the window of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in Memphis. The investigation into his Nov. 17 death is ongoing.