| Full Name | Dayvon Daquan Bennett |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | King Von |
| Birthdate | August 9, 1994 |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois |
| Death Date | November 6, 2020 (aged 26) |
| Record Labels | Only the Family, Empire |
| Notable Songs | "Crazy Story", "Took Her To The O", "Roll Up" |
Early Life and Background
American rapper King Von grew up in a poverty-stricken area of Chicago and got involved with local gangs at a young age. He had a difficult upbringing surrounded by violence, which would later be reflected in his music. As a teenager, he served time in prison for murder. While incarcerated, he began writing lyrics and discovered a talent for vivid lyrical storytelling.
Rise to Fame on the Drill Scene
After being released from prison in 2017, Von hit the ground running in Chicago‘s "drill music" scene. He adopted the name King Von and signed to fellow Chicago rapper Lil Durk‘s Only the Family record label. Durk mentored Von and collaborated with him on early tracks. Von broke out in 2018 with his mixtape Grandson, Vol. 1, which included gritty street tales like "Crazy Story" and "Wayne" set to booming drill beats. His melodic vocal style and gift for detail quickly set him apart.
Von gained even more momentum with his 2019 mixtape LeVon James, named after his real first and middle names. Hard-edged tracks like "Crazy Story Pt. 3" racked up millions of YouTube views. The mixtape peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200, proving Von‘s growing commercial appeal. As his profile rose, he collaborated with major rappers like Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, and Pop Smoke.
Musical Style & Legacy
King Von had a raw, authentic vocal style that fully immersed listeners in the grim narratives he rapped about. While his lyrics often depicted traumatic events from his early life, he balanced this with vulnerability and pain. Musically, Von kept true to Chicago‘s drill roots while expanding his melodic instincts and vocal range.
Despite his career being cut short by a 2020 shooting, Von left an indelible stamp on hip hop. His ability to dramatize the danger and chaos of street life was second to none. While not overtly glorifying the violence, his first-hand perspective offered insights into an overlooked world. Thanks to gifted storytelling skills, King Von ensured his powerful tale would live on in his music.