Chaka Zulu, a veteran music executive and longtime manager of Atlanta rapper Ludacris, was shot Sunday night in the city’s Buckhead neighborhood, police confirmed to 11Alive.
The executive, who is co-CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records, was shot near Peachtree Road at around 11:35 p.m. Two other men were also shot; all three were transported to a local hospital where one died, according to the report.
Police do not have a suspect in custody and have not released information about Zulu’s condiction or that of the other surviving victim. Officers said the investigation remains active and is ongoing.
However, a source close to the situation tells Variety that Zulu’s condition is critical but stable, a report apparently seconded by former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who reportedly told WSB-TV’s Michael Seiden: ”We are fortunate to report that Chaka Zulu is in stable condition and recovering. The family thanks everyone for their well wishes and prayers, and asks for their privacy at this time.”
Atlanta police Lt. Germaine Dearlove told local Atlanta news station WSB-TV, “We have three persons shot at the location. One deceased and two are in hospitals as a result of a dispute in the parking lot.”
Sources say the incident took place outside the APT 4B restaurant, which Zulu owns, and speculated that he may have been trying to break up an altercation.
The gunman is still at large. Police say they have surveillance video of the scene and are hoping to be able to identify the shooter, according to XXL.
Zulu, along with Ludacris and Zulu’s brother Jeff Dixon, founded Disturbing Tha Peace Records in 1998. Over the years the label’s roster has included Ludacris as well as Chingy, Shawnna, Bobby V, Playaz Circle, Lil Scrappy and others. The label signed a long-term deal with Def Jam Recordings in 2008.
In 2017 Zulu announced the launch of the Culture Republic partnership with fellow veteran Atlanta music-business execs Jason Geter (T.I.’s longtime manager and founder of Grand Hustle Entertainment) and Bernard Parks Jr. (a key player in the success of Goodie Mob, producers Organized Noize and the extended Outkast/Goodie Mob Dungeon Family. In 2019 he joined Spotify as Head of Artist and Talent Relations.
Earlier this year, he was honored by the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks with “Forever 404 Honors” (a reference to the city’s area code), “Celebrating community partners and non-profit organizations that embody cause, culture and community throughout the city of Atlanta and its rooted history”