Messy Mya, Burgeoning Rapper and YouTube Sensation, Identified as 7th Ward Murder Victim
Moments after gunshots roared through the 7th Ward on Sunday night, a lone snapshot appeared on the Internet.
In it, a 22-year-old man is lying cheek to the ground, crimson pooling around his neck. His eyes are closed, his torso curled.
This is how the world learned of Messy Mya’s death.
The local rapper and comedian, whose insulting videos made him an online sensation, died Sunday about 8 p.m. near the corner of St. Anthony and North Rocheblave streets.
He was born Anthony M. Barre, the grandson of imprisoned businessman and political powerbroker Stan “Pampy” Barre. He died Sunday night face-down on the ground, where his body was found by police and paramedics, authorities said. He had been shot several times, according to the coroner’s office.
In death, Barre, or at least his persona, Messy Mya, went viral. Radio disc jockeys bemoaned his death on air, while the number of clicks on his already popular YouTube page climbed exponentially. His moniker became a top trending subject on Twitter. Meanwhile, tribute videos and blog postings sprouted almost immediately.
The burgeoning bounce rapper and Internet personality who sought out fame was now in the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons.
What remained clear Monday, even before authorities confirmed Barre’s identity, was that, within moments of the gunshots, numerous people knew what had happened and knew to whom. It was not clear, however, who loaded the crime-scene photo on to the Internet or why.
On Monday, New Orleans police declined to release additional details, such as a possible motive or suspect in the shooting.
The scene had been cleared by Monday afternoon of any remnants of the night before. In the block where the shooting supposedly happened, none of the homes appear inhabited.
Roosters strutted down the street and a stray dog meandered through trash strewn along the sidewalk of the neighborhood’s blighted blocks. Nearby residents said the killing took place amid a block party, but said they knew few details beyond that.
Outside of the Web, beyond cameras and keyboards, Barre was a young man with a well-known last name and a sad past.
The burgeoning bounce rapper and Internet personality who sought out fame was now in the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons.
At the age of 13, his mother’s boyfriend fatally shot her while he and his older sister were in the house. The two children were the ones who summoned police. Years later, his grandfather, Stan “Pampy” Barre, was convicted in a City Hall kickback scheme, for which he is currently in prison.
Despite the personal troubles, the young Barre blossomed as Messy Mya.
Barre performed tunes in some of his popular videos, while other clips featured him talking into the camera and to the world. As a performer, he melded music and comedy.
Bounce music — characterized by its repetitive, call-and-response chants that often reference New Orleans neighborhoods and public housing complexes — leans heavily on sexual innuendo and swagger. Its rappers are often accompanied by dancers whose rapid-fire, rear-end gyrations make it appear as if their hips are disconnected from their torsos.
‘Follow me, camera!’
Sassy, raspy-voiced and heavily tattooed, with flowing hair in fluorescent colors, Barre demanded attention, often looking into the lens, imploring, “Follow me, camera!”
In several clips, he cavorts through Lakeside Shopping Center, critiquing the backsides of passers-by, criticizing the looks of the elderly, and accosting young women.
“If you are 50 years old and you still wear braids, b—-, you need to be shot,” he exclaims in one video.
In other clips, Barre rattles of the names of people he dislikes and the reasons why.
“This is my reality show,” he says in one video. “Welcome to Messy world.”
In recent online video posts, Barre’s outlook was relatively glum. He hinted that death was around the corner, noting that a young man’s life expectancy in New Orleans is short.
He talked of getting jumped and of other “minor situations” that arose from his charades. He knew his character assassinations created enemies.
His catchphrase — “Now who gonna pop me?” — was more than a rhetorical question. In recent days, it took on a grave tone.
On Sunday, at 1 p.m., just hours before his death, Barre paid homage in a Facebook posting to a recently deceased friend, saying: “I’ll be there soon.”
A day earlier, he told the world that he planned to leave New Orleans for Houston because “s–t is getting out the box.”
On Sunday afternoon, Barre apparently attended a girlfriend’s baby shower. He had proudly announced the midday event in several online postings. He declared he would soon be the father of a baby boy. It is not known if the Sunday night gathering was tied to a baby shower.
‘I am like the popular-est person down here’
Amid the laughs, mean-spirited cracks and rump-rattling videos, Barre exhibited a keen sense of self-promotion and awareness of what Messy Mya had, and could, become.
In an open video to fans, he expresses gratitude to all those who click and comment and send notes and e-mail messages.
“I am like the popular-est person down here,” he deadpans in a confessional to the camera. “I came from uploading and getting 25 views to uploading and getting 25,000.”
Quickly, he switches from heartfelt to humorous, and back to serious.
“I am the Sally-Ann Roberts of the streets, you know, b—h?” he said, a reference to WWL-TV’s morning television anchor. “You know everybody watch this camera. You got to understand how powerful this camera is. Understand your words on this camera. Understand that people not only from New Orleans is watching this video, b—h, they got people from Milwaukee.”
3 Comments
Leave a Comment
THE BLOG
HOT 97
LINKS
MUSIC
Bobby Konders Presents: Massive B Legacy, Vol. 1
Release Date: November 19th, 2018 Bobby Konders Presents: Massive B Legacy – Volume 1 is now available and includes ten features on ten tracks. Burro Banton, Vybez Kartel, Bounty Killa, Sizzla, T.O.K., Elephantman, Richie Spice, Chezidek, Chronicle, and King Kong. You can listen on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: A Boogie – Nice For What
A boogie gave fans a snippet of this one via his instagram. Finally after all the request to drop the full version from fans – here it is. Check A Boogie’s version of “Nice For What.” Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: Dave East – Imagine
Dave East is set to release the 2nd installment of his “Karma” series, next week on July 27. Check out this new one off the tape called “Imagine.” Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: 070 Shake – Accusations
The G.O.O.D. Music rookie 070 Shake releases a new one called “Accusations.” Listen below.
(Video) Tony James – Sweat Slow
Toronto’s very own Tony James has released his major label debut single and visual for “Sweat Slow.” Tony says this one “Is about the one that got away, so we wanted to show the beautiful, happy women representing the ex-girlfriends of the men who took them for granted.” Look out for more from Tony this…
#MusicStillMatters New Music: Childish Gambino – Summertime Magic / Feels Like Summer
Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover follows up his video/song “This Is America” with not only one, but two records for the summer. The “Atlanta” creator tweeted “summer pack,” with a link to his songs, “Summertime Magic” and “Feels Like Summer.”
#MusicStillMatters Stream: Meek Mill – Legends Of The Summer
Meek Mill decided to treat his fans to new music when he dropped a new EP called “Legends of the Summer.” the 4-track tape features Swizz Beatz, Jeremih and PNB Rock. Stream below.
#MusicStillMatters Stream: Future – Beast Mode 2
Future links up with Zaytoven for the follow up to 2015’s “Beast Mode” titled “Beast Mode 2” which includes 9 tracks with a feature from Young Scooter. Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: T-Pain – Boo’d Up (Remix)
First it was Nicki Minaj and Quavo who put their touch on the track to mixed reviews. Then Fabolous laid his verse on the hit single. Now, T-Pain decided to give his take on the track. Listen below.
TECH TALK
We Know What YG’s Next Purchase Will Be: This ALL RED Special Edition iPhone!
An all red iPhone is on the way – I’m sure much to the delight of the Bloods. LOL! A special edition red version of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have been introduced, in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Apple’s partnership with HIV/AIDS organization, (Red).
(Video) Apple Unveils New Spaceship Campus Called “Apple Park”
One of Steve Jobs projects he left behind before his untimely death from pancreatic cancer, was the Apple spaceship campus. Take a look.
(Video) Lil Wayne Featured In EA’s ‘Need For Speed: No Limits’ Game
While we still have no Carter 5 in sight, we can at least get SOMETHING from Lil Wayne in the form of EA’s new mobile game, Need For Speed: No Limits. Players can drive as Weezy in the game, and both his voice and likeness are there for fans to enjoy. Tune is also working…
Sprint Purchases 33% Stake In Jay-Z’s Tidal
Power moves on power moves on top of power moves. Hov just struck a big deal for Tidal and the artists who have stake in the company as well, through Sprint.
(Video) Travis Scott Previews New Heat On Snapchat
Looks like Travis Scott is cooking something up…Astroworld this year?
Azealia Banks Has Been Banned From Facebook
AzealiaBanksVEVO Well, that took longer than expected.
(Video + Photo) Ariana Grande Got Her Own Character In “Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius” Game
Soon you’ll be able to play as Ariana in Final Fantasy and she broke the news to her fans yesterday.
SoundCloud Makes A Major Update That MANY People Will Be Happy About!
When SoundCloud first came out, it quickly became a hub for DJs, uploading their mixes and gaining a decent following because of it. However, as labels became more hip to the new site, they began issuing copyright infringements left to right, and DJs began leaving the streaming website in droves – especially because their accounts…
MARISA EXPLAINS IT ALL
Marisa Mendez x Jamal x Tunisia – Marisa Explains It All [Episode 16: “Holiday Hangover”]
We’ve made it to episode 16 of my podcast, Marisa Explains It All, and I finally decided to share it with you guys here. LOL! On this episode, we pre-gamed before the Ebro In The Morning holiday party…and uh, yeah. Drunk talk and feelings were at an all time high. Our music picks are as…
Behind The Lyrics: Lil Wayne Admits To Botched Suicide Attempt As A Child On “London Roads”
Lil Wayne has long recounted a story of “accidentally” shooting himself when he was 12, playing with a 9 mm handgun. Thankfully, an off-duty cop was around to help young Tune, and he survived to become the rap star he is today. Apparently, that wasn’t the whole story, though! On “London Roads”, a song from…
(Video) Machine Gun Kelly Finally Opens Up About Amber Rose
Machine Gun Kelly is one of my favorite artists and has been a good friend of mine for years now, so it was double the blessing to make my Hot 97 interview debut with him on Ebro In The Morning today! The Bad Boy rapper stopped by to discuss his new single and its powerful…
Behind The Lyrics: Wiz Khalifa Comes For Amber’s Neck On “For Everybody”
Last night, Juicy J dropped his Wiz Khalifa-assisted single “For Everybody,” and boy did Wiz have some choice words for his ex Amber Rose on the track! And to drive the point home, they included a photo of themselves at his wedding to Amber as the song’s artwork.
(Video) Honey Cocaine Plays A Hilarious Game Of Taboo
Toronto-bred raptress Honey Cocaine made her rounds at Hot 97 a few weeks back, promoting her latest mixtape Like A Drug, and its 2 singles, “Gwola” featuring Kid Ink and Maino, and “None Of My Business” with Kirko Bangz and Constantine. Following her dope interview with Jen From BK for Jen’s “Ladies First” segment, I…
Interview: Machine Gun Kelly On Debut Film: “I hope that it kind of strikes a social issue…” [PLUS Details On Sophomore Album!]
This Friday, Colson ‘MGK‘ Baker will make his big-screen debut, starring as Kid Culprit in the romantic drama, Beyond The Lights. Since his 2012 Bad Boy/Interscope debut Lace Up and his breakout single “Wild Boy,” Kells has toured the world and shot not only Beyond The Lights, but two more as-of-yet unreleased films as well.…
Elijah Blake Gives 7 Tips How NOT To Act Around A Celeb, Plus Talks New EP, His First Big Check & More!
Singer/songwriter Elijah Blake has worked with a majority of the biggest names in the music business from Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Usher, Mary J and more, either having written for them or being featured on their songs. Now with his recently released Drift EP (available on iTunes here,) the talented Def Jam signee sat down to…
IFWT Exclusive: Maino Gives Us The REAL Story Of What Happened With The Porn Star!
Maino is currently being sought out by the NYPD for questioning, after an adult film star accused him of assaulting her inside of his truck after they partied at Griffin on Monday night with Drake, Ashanti, JR Smith and more. According to the police report filed by the porn star, Mellanie Monroe, “he started punching…
Mila J Reveals The Real Deal Between Her & A Rumored Beau, Plus Talks New EP, Diet/Workout, Her Mains & More!
Gorgeous singer/songwriter/dancer Mila J finally released her debut EP M.I.L.A. (Made In L.A.) yesterday, after years of trying out girl groups, various solo ventures, random day jobs and the like. She’s finally found her niche now though, and has seen success with her latest singles, “Smoke, Drink, Break-Up” and the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted, “My Main.”…
This story has been bothering me since I found out who he was Sunday night. People get hyper-sensitive over words… can’t handle emotions, so they blast off. Wack.
Sad story whats really sad is few understand the power the tong its the lightest thing on the body it downt weight a pound but its so hard to hold. This is a lesson to all keep your mouth closed it can get u killed R.I.P Messy may god rest your soul