Huey: Rapper Bio
Lawrence Franks Jr. — born September 12, 1987, in Kinloch, Missouri, near St. Louis — had one enormous hit and a very short career. Known as Huey, he released Pop Lock and Drop It in 2006, a song so perfectly calibrated for its moment that it reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a mandatory fixture at every school dance and club night for the following year. He was shot in Kinloch on June 25, 2020, and died from his wounds at age 32.
Early Life
Growing up in Kinloch — one of the poorest municipalities in Missouri — Huey recorded Pop Lock and Drop It as a teenager with minimal industry infrastructure behind him. The song was picked up by Jive Records after gaining regional traction.
Career Overview
Notebook Paper (2007) was his debut album and contained Pop Lock and Drop It, which was the lead single. The album itself underperformed beyond its single and Huey was unable to establish the musical identity needed for a second hit. His second and final studio album, Redemption (2010, EMI/Que), failed to chart, and he put out independent mixtapes such as Project H (2014) through the 2010s without approaching his 2006 commercial peak. He was shot in his hometown of Kinloch in June 2020 and died from his wounds.
Discography
| Year | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Notebook Paper | Jive / Hitz Committee debut; "Pop, Lock & Drop It" (#6); album reached #26 on the Billboard 200 |
| 2010 | Redemption | Second & final studio album (EMI / Que); did not chart |
Legacy & Impact
Huey's story is a sad one — a talented young man from an extremely impoverished background who had one enormous moment and was never given the resources or guidance to build on it. Pop Lock and Drop It remains a defining song of its era. His death at thirty-one was a reminder of how many artists from similar backgrounds never escape their circumstances.
FAQ
What is Huey's biggest song?
Pop Lock and Drop It (2006), which reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Where is Huey from?
Kinloch, Missouri, near St. Louis.
How did Huey die?
Huey was shot in Kinloch, Missouri on June 25, 2020, and died from his wounds. He was 32 years old.
Did Huey have any other hits?
No — Pop Lock and Drop It was his only significant chart entry.