‘This brother was special’: Tributes pour in for Fort Worth rapper G$ Lil Ronnie, daughter
Artists and others who knew Fort Worth rapper G$ Lil Ronnie have taken to social media to express their grief and outrage after the musician and his 5-year-old daughter were gunned down at a Forest Hill car wash Monday.
Dallas dancer Kedrick Wilson, also known as Mr. Hit Dat, posted a photo of himself and the rapper on Instagram.
“I’m hurt with this one!!!” Wilson posted. “We was BIG on Fatherhood.”
Producer and songwriter Eric Estrich called the shooting “a senseless act of violence” on a social media video and encouraged anyone with information to notify police.
“Any person that would walk up and gun down a 5-year-old and her father is a demon,” Estrich said.
Fort Worth singer Leon Bridges also posted photos of himself with Sibley on his Instagram story. He referred to the rapper by another nickname, writing “Damn Chucky” along with a crying emoji.
G$ Lil Ronnie, whose real name was Ronnie Sibley, was known for such songs as “Commitment,” “We Got It” and “Wops.” His 2018 single “Hoodfame Killuminati” has garnered 3.9 million streams on Spotify to date.
Fort Worth hip-hop artist Smoothvega credits Sibley and his fellow rapper and collaborator Go Yayo as forever changing the culture of hip hop in the city.
“They became the wave that everyone followed,” Smoothvega said in a public social media post. “Those that know, KNOW how much of a role that Ronnie played in not only his success but Go Yayo’s as well. These guys built something legendary. This brother was special.”
In 2023 Sibley talked about growing up in Fort Worth during an “Off the Porch” interview with DGB Media.
“I ain’t gonna lie — it was rough,” he said.
The rapper said he spent a lot of time on the streets. His grandmother died when he was in the seventh or eighth grade, and his brother went to prison around that time.
In spite of the obstacles, Sibley started his rap journey and produced multiple albums. His last album, “Literally,” was released in 2023. His single “Chase” was released in 2024.
Security video from Slappy’s Express Car Wash in Forest Hill shows two men approach Sibley while he is apparently vacuuming his maroon Dodge Challenger the morning of Monday, March 3. The men begin shooting, and Sibley tries to evade them. The video, shared on social media and posted by TMZ, ends after he is apparently shot and stumbles and collapses in the parking lot.
Sibley’s 5-year-old daughter, R’mani Sibley, was found inside her father’s car. Both Sibley and his daughter died at the scene, officials said.
Sibley’s family is “devastated beyond words,” according to a GoFundMe that’s been organized to help cover funeral and household expenses.
R’mani was an elementary school student in Crowley, according to her family. She was also going to be joining the Safari Sports cheer team.
A Safari Sports spokesperson said the leaders were devastated by the 5-year-old’s death and are praying for her family.
“It’s a very tragic situation,” the spokesperson said, adding that R’mani’s first competition would have been in May.
On Wednesday, March 5, Forest Hill police released the names of the two suspects wanted in connection with the deaths of Sibley and R’mani.
“Public enemy number one, Adonis Robinson, who’s also a registered sex offender. Public enemy number two, Jakobie Russell, who’s on the run,” Forest Hill Police Chief David Hernandez said at a news conference at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon. “They’re scared, they’re cowards, they’re hiding. We ask the public, please let us know where they’re at.”
Anyone with information regarding Robinson and Russell’s whereabouts is asked to call the Forest Hill Police Department at 817-531-5250 (Option 5) or email policeinvestigations@foresthilltx.org.
This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM.
