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Roderick Anthony Burton II (1987   – May 18, 2009) better known by his stage name Dolla or Bucklyte, was an American model and rapper.

Biography

Burton was born in 1987 in Chicago, Illinois and relocated to Los Angeles in 1991, after facing difficulties the family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia when Dolla was 5 yrs old. He was a member of the rap group, Da Razkalz Cru, going by the name Bucklyte who signed with Elektra Records in 2003 and released the single "So Fly". "So Fly" did not bring the success that was desired and the group was dropped from the label soon after. That same year, he met Akon and P. Diddy, the latter of whom hired Burton as a model for his Sean John line of clothes; Burton appeared on billboards for the clothing line and modeled across the United States. Under the stage name Dolla, Burton signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik label in May 2007.

He made his debut with the single "Who the Fuck Is That?", which was his biggest hit, reaching #42 on the Billboard Hot 100. His song, "Feelin' Myself", is featured on the Step Up soundtrack. The song "Feelin' Myself," was a "bite" of the Mac Dre song of the same name. He followed his debut single up with a second single "I'm Fucked Up" in the summer of 2008. A third single, entitled "Make a Toast", produced by General Geezy was then officially released on November 4, 2008.

He appeared in the beginning of the music video for R&B superstar, Ciara's video for "Never Ever".

Death

The day before Dolla flew to LA to record the rest of his album, he was killed on May 18, 2009 at approximately 3:10 pm. Along with Scrapp DeLeon and DJ Shabbazz, they were waiting in the Beverly Center's VIP valet parking and auto detailing lounge area, in Los Angeles after a shopping trip. The area was located is behind the P. F. Chang's China Bistro pictured to the left.

The three entered the mall's valet parking lobby located by the Macy's Men Shop via the express elevator that runs from the 7th floor directly to the 1st floor. Shots were fired. The majority of panicked witnesses fled and hid in two of the Mall's sidewalk restaurants on the La Cienega Boulevard side — P. F. Chang's China Bistro and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Those that ran into the latter restaurant screamed to the manager to lock the door.

“The customers were yelling 'close the store, close the store, because somebody is shooting,' ” said Elsa Hernandez, general manager of the Chipotle restaurant.

L.A.P.D. Police officer Karen Reyner said the victim and the gunman had been arguing before the attack. This incident was said to be leading from a prior altercation that happened at a strip club in Atlanta 3 weeks before. After the shooting, the gunman fled in a silver Mercedes-Benz.

Later that evening, an armed 23-year-old male, Aubrey Louis Berry, was detained at the Los Angeles International Airport. Witnesses say he surrendered without a struggle. His bail was set at $5 million dollars because he was determined to be a flight risk.

Dolla's Funeral was held Saturday May 23, 2009 in East Point, a neighborhood of Atlanta.. During Saturday’s service, Dolla's brother Will “Scrapp DeLeon” Robinson stood at the front with close friends and family, including DJ Shabazz, who was with Dolla at the time of his death, and reflected on his brother’s family life and path to fame.

"It was never me or I; it was we, us and they," Robinson said of Dolla, who was signed to singer Akon's record label. "He put other people in front of himself." He shared the text message he sent to his brother after his death, including this sentiment: "My big brother has died, but I gained a bigger angel. I always knew you were too good to be here. Dolla did not fear death, Dolla wanted people to wear white and celebrate his life at his funeral."

He was buried in the Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.

Discography

Street Singles

• 2007: "Feelin Myself"
• 2008: "Dope Man" (ft. Jim Jones)
• 2008: "She's So Fine" (ft. Akon)
• 2008: "We Stay Fly" (ft. T.I.)
• 2009: "College Student"
• 2009: "Heartbreak Collision"
• 2009: "Like This" (ft. Akon)
• 2009: "Georgia Nights"
• 2009: "Seagle Street"

Singles

• 2007: "Who the Fuck Is That?" (feat. T-Pain & Tay Dizm)
• 2008: "I'm Fucked Up"
• 2008: "Make a Toast"

• 2009 deaths
• African American rappers
• American murder victims
• Deaths by firearm in California
• Murdered rappers
• People from Chicago, Illinois
• Rappers from Atlanta, Georgia
• People murdered in California