RAPPER SUAVE DRILLY, otherwise known as John Martinez, is seen in this 2024 YouTube music video for the Drill Rap track, “Straight Keef.” Video courtesy of Kapo Escobar via YouTube

A Norwood/Bedford Park-based drill rapper whose real name is John Martinez was shot and killed in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 15, police said. According to various sources, Martinez is also known as drill rap artist Suave Drilly.

 

A police spokesperson said that on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 5.50 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot at the intersection of Alexander Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard. “Upon arrival, officers observed a 27-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso,” a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the victim to NYC Health and Hospitals/ Lincoln where he was pronounced deceased.”

 

Police later released the name of the victim as John Martinez who they said was 27 and lived on Mosholu Parkway in Bedford Park. They said there were no arrests and the investigation remained ongoing. In various videos posted online, the deceased is seen lying on the sidewalk as a police officer administers chest compressions and other cops protect the crime scene. Some youths, seemingly shocked and panicked, are seen interacting with other police officers though it’s unclear what is being said.

 

According to the website, Hip Hop Since1987.com, Suave Drilly was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States at the age of three. He reportedly told the outlet in a February 2024 interview, “I’m from, and represent, The Bronx, New York, not just The Bronx, but Gun Hill Road and the Norwood area of The Bronx.”

The music outlet also reported that the rapper’s first release in The Bronx drill scene came right before his arrest in June 2020, and his first song, entitled “Opp Spotter,” featuring his friends, Spazz Drilly and another artist by the name of Good Day Ray, accumulated over 900,000 views as Suave was released from prison in January 2024.

 

According to the music outlet, Suave’s goal was to achieve one million views with “Opp Spotter” and to stay focused on his music. The music outlet also reported that Suave said he was motivated to make music not just for himself but for his people, and that he was determined to keep the Drilly name running “in memory of his fallen brother, Dumout Drilly,” who the outlet reported passed away in 2018.

 

The music news website also reported that Suave had dropped a new track in 2024, “Back on My Bully,” which was shot by Klovisionz. Suave reportedly said of the track, “It was great to be back working. Hopefully, someone recognizes the hard work. Shout out Spazz Drilly, Leeky Drilly, Milly Drilly, Swift Drilly, Non-Stop Drilly, Ddot Drilly, Bibby Drilly, Ek Drilly, Try Drilly, Bobby Drilly, Lee Drilly, Skino Drilly, 600 Drilly, free Bandobdd, free Tdot, free Lala, free Blane, free Rpt, free 94, free all of them.”

 

The rapper reportedly added, “I’m willing to work with any artist upcoming or signed. I don’t mind. I’m just getting back into the studio so I rather work with different artists to perfect my craft.”

 

Norwood News reported in April 2022 that Suave Drilly, then 23, was in custody and awaiting arraignment as one of 20 alleged G-Side / Drilly gang members in the Norwood / Gun Hill area. According to the Bronx District Attorney’s office, 20 gang members were arrested on various charges, including murder, non-fatal shootings, and stabbings.

In August 2024, we had also reported how “Slaughtery” gang members had been separately charged with 14 shootings, the slashing of a rival in a courthouse, and how they bragged online about it. The gang is also influenced by drill rap.

 

As reported, drill rap is a sub-genre of rap music that emerged in the last 10 years. It addresses gang and street life and often glorifies misogyny and violence.

 

In February 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he met with a group of Drill rappers and later explained to the media how the meeting went. “They said, ‘We heard you were going to ban Drill rapping,’ and I did not say that,” said Adams. “No, I was very clear on what I stated and they came in with a lot of energy. You know, here’s the 62-year-old guy that don’t understand young people and you want to destroy…. and I let them talk. Then I told them what I said, that violent people who are using Drill rapping to post who they killed, and then antagonize the people who they are going to kill is what the problem is.”

 

The mayor added, “And they heard me, and we’re going to be rolling out something in the next few days to deal with this issue. It was a great conversation. I was happy to have them there.” For more on the mayor’s comments, click here.

 

Norwood News reached out to the Bronx District Attorney’s office to ask about the outcome of Suave Drilly’s arrest. He is presumed innocent unless found guilty and convicted in a court of law. We will share any updates we receive.

Music journalist @pphilms_kf, who has 87,800 followers on his YouTube channel, paid tribute to Suave Drilly on Wednesday in a video and included clips of music tracks, the videos for which show youths dancing in front of the Williamsbridge Oval recreation center in Norwood. He also mentioned that Suave was a father.

 

Norwood News also reached out to a music representative for Suave Drilly for comment on his death and legacy and will share any feedback we receive.

 

RapHouseTV reported on social media on Wednesday, “New York Drill rapper Suave Drilly was reportedly shot and killed while leaving his parole office. He was only 27.” The post was followed with a heart and a dove emoji.

 

Norwood News also contacted the NYPD to ask if this report was true. We were informed that the department did not have that information. At least two parole offices are based in the general vicinity of the shooting, as seen in the attached map.

 

According to New York State Parole Board records, Suave Drilly was assigned to Bronx II Area Parole office located at 26 Bruckner Boulevard, and had been convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, and attempted gang assault in the first degree, a Class C felony.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crimestoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ , or on X @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential