Toronto rapper Houdini killed in Entertainment District shooting

Word spread quickly on social media about the fatal shooting of emerging Toronto rapper Houdini, popularly known as Dimarjio Antonio Jenkins, who was killed in the Entertainment District in the late afternoon Tuesday, May 26.

Within just a few hours of Jenkins’ death, followers started posting messages of condolence on the 21-year-old North York native’s Instagram account. Scores of fans, supporters, and friends also took to Facebook and Twitter to express their grief, disappointment, and disbelief.

Jenkins, who grew up in the Driftwood neighbourhood, near Jane Street and Finch Avenue, had seen some success with his music career. One of his more recent tracks Auntie (with fellow hip hop artist WhyG) went viral. According to HipMagazine.org, Houdini was “one of Canada’s most streamed independent rappers (racking up 19.2 million plays on Spotify last year).”

In a statement provided to toronto.com, Warner Music Canada, which worked with Jenkins through its partnership with 6ixBuzz on an upcoming compilation album showcasing some of the city’s rising stars, offered its “sincere condolences to the family of Dimarjio Jenkins, an exceptionally talented hip hop artist known as Houdini.”

“Houdini had unlimited potential as an artist and we are incredibly saddened that his life was cut short,” said wrote Warner Music Canada’s President Steve Kane.

“Our thoughts are with his family during this unimaginable time. We urge our elected officials to help address the root causes of gun violence and put an end to these tragedies.”

Jenkins is Toronto’s 30th murder victim of 2020.