The local community is in shock following the death of East Bay rapper Tan DaGod (whose real name was Alliauna Green), who was gunned down during a meet-and-greet event at the grand opening of Glamor Beauty Supply in North Oakland, California on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Tan DaGod, who has over 20,000 social media followers, had been actively promoting her appearance at the event on her platforms. The event, intended to celebrate the opening of the beauty supply store, turned into chaos at around 5 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing people running for cover, with some taking refuge in neighboring stores.
“I heard some shooting; I thought it was part of their music,” recalled a worker from a nearby restaurant. The confusion quickly turned to panic as it became evident that the shots were real. According to witnesses, a group of around six masked men approached Tan DaGod outside the store, and an altercation ensued before the shooting began.
Tan DaGod was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Another person was also shot but is expected to recover. The identity of the second victim has not been disclosed, and the shooter remains at large. The Oakland Police Department has not yet confirmed the motive behind the attack and is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, described as a male wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
The rapper’s family believes Tan DaGod was targeted months after the release of her mixtape “Ex Wood Pack,” and a media tour. Many fans perceived her words as boasting about the killing of her ex-boyfriend, whom she alleged had been abusive. He was murdered in 2023. The cover art shows a picture of the two of them together, but his head is swapped out for a Backwoods blunt. “B—ch got ran down off of the principle. … that s—t is inadmissible … that ni—a ain’t gon’ never get a call again,” Tan DaGod raps on the song “He Say Im Kold.”
She appeared to reinforce her position during interviews. In one such instance, sitting beside a tombstone that read “RIP Here Lies My Ex,” Tan DaGod continued her provocations. “You should’ve never messed with me because now I have to escalate things… I did this to be extremely childish and provoke families. Too bad because they aren’t going to do anything about it,” she states in an interview clip reposted by a user on X. “As a matter of fact, I’m smoking on this dead ___ right now.” Certain fans speculate that her death might be retribution or karma for everything she said about her ex. However, Atlanta Black Star has not found any concrete evidence linking Tan DaGod to her murder.
Tributes for Tan DaGod began to pour in almost immediately. Flowers and candles were placed outside the Glamor Beauty Supply store, with heartfelt messages from fans and the local community. Fellow Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B. paid tribute on social media, expressing his grief and describing Tan DaGod as “a hustling go-getter, with a world of ambition, drive, and courage, and a heart as big as Texas.”
Friends and fellow artists spoke of Tan DaGod’s passion for music and dedication to supporting Black-owned businesses. “She was full of energy for life and love. She was very passionate about her career,” said Ernest Holloway, a longtime friend who had worked with her on several music projects.
Rakeem “Hazpain,” another artist who attended the event, described the scene: “It’s just connection vibes, just family vibes. It’s peaceful, and people are just showing off their talents and just being themselves.” The community had hoped for a joyous occasion but was left to mourn the loss of a vibrant and promising young artist.
Tan DaGod was not only a rapper but also an entrepreneur. She had recently opened an Airbnb in Florida and was in Oakland for a visit when the tragedy occurred. Her friends and family are struggling to come to terms with the senseless violence that claimed her life. Holloway expressed guilt and helplessness, saying, “Because I know if I had been present, I could have taken precautions to ensure it wouldn’t have gone that far.”
The impact of the shooting has left the local business community in fear for their safety. Business owners in the strip mall where the shooting occurred voiced concerns about the safety of their customers and the potential impact on their businesses. The Oakland Police Department is investigating the incident, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The death of Tan DaGod adds to the growing list of violent incidents in Oakland, prompting calls for action to address the escalating violence in the city. “Currently, it feels like we’re constantly mourning in Oakland. There’s been so much loss, one after another, and we desperately need to find a way to end it,” Holloway said.