By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-25 06:51:27 | Updated at 2024-11-25 09:47:02
3 hours ago
Percy Forrest, a legendary figure in the Bronx hip-hop scene and longtime collaborator of rapper Fat Joe, was stabbed to death while attending an after-hours event at a club in New York City.
Forrest, 55, was killed while at Agenda Restaurant and Lounge in Astoria, Queens on November 11 at around 2:20am.
Following the stabbing, Forrest was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital where his injuries proved fatal.
His death has left his family and local community in mourning while the music world and law enforcement are still grappling for answers.
Despite some initial leads in the case which led to one person being arrested, they were later released and police have remained tight-lipped ever since about potential suspects, leaving a host of unanswered questions.
The 55-year-old's killing sparked an outpouring of grief from friends, family, and fans who remember his influence in hip-hop but also for his larger-than-life personality.
The silence surrounding his murder - from potential witnesses who were at the club the night he was killed - and from within the tight-knit community, has left police stumped and only compounded the anguish of those who knew and loved him.
Known for his impeccable style, Forrest was deeply embedded in the hip-hop world, managing artists and working with Fat Joe as part of the Terror Squad in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Percy Forrest, left, a legendary figure in the Bronx hip-hop scene and longtime collaborator of Fat Joe, was stabbed to death while attending an after-hours event at a club in New York City
The 55-year-old's killing as sparked an outpouring of grief from friends, family, and fans
Forrest, 55, was killed while at Agenda Restaurant and Lounge in Astoria, Queens on November 11 at around 2:20am
Forrest’s role as a manager and mentor to countless artists cemented his legacy as a cornerstone of the Bronx’s vibrant music scene.
Denise Forrest, 33, his daughter, described her father's legacy with pride: 'In the music industry overall, he was very well known. Him and Fat Joe were best friends.'
Indeed, Fat Joe and Forrest grew up together with them becoming buddies in kindergarten with their friendship lasting for decades and ultimately a cornerstone of their lives and careers.
In a 2022 interview, Forrest recounted their first meeting: 'I was the baddest black guy in the school, Joe was the baddest Puerto Rican in the school, and we would always meet each other in the principal's office.
'One day we was looking at each other and was like, 'Wassup, wassup', and we started laughing and became best friends. This was kindergarten. We remained friends throughout the years,' Forrest said.
During the interview Forrest told how he had been a member of a four-man dance crew called Up Town's Hottest but a late-night brawl pushed him to give up performing, at which point he began hustling on the streets.
He had been managing an R&B group and orchestrating a lucrative ticket scalping scheme when Fat Joe approached him with an offer to join Terror Squad on condition he stop working the streets.
'Joe hollered at me one day and said, "Yo listen, if you leave the streets alone I'll help you with this music thing. But you got to leave the streets alone",' Forrest said.
Fat Joe, center, and Forrest, right, grew up together with them becoming buddies at school with their friendship lasting for decades. They are pictured with DJ Khaled, right, in 2014
Forrest was deeply embedded in the hip-hop world, managing artists and talent. He is pictured in red alongside, from left, DJ Tone Byrd, Miami Kar, and film producer Steve Lobel in 2014
Although one person was arrested on the night of the stabbing they have since been released with police saying they do not have any suspects
'So I left the streets alone. That's how I came into the music business and did the whole Terror Squad,' he recounted.
Terror Squad was an American hip hop collective that was first established in 1998 and ran until 2006.
His devastated widow, Yulonda Paul, shared her heartbreak over the loss of her husband, whom she met over 30 years ago at a skating rink where he complimented her on her fashion. 'We were inseparable right away,' she said.
The couple built a life together, raising children and sharing dreams.
Forrest's death has now shattered those plans, including a milestone birthday celebration for Paul.
'All we talked about was the things we were going to do for my 50th birthday, and now he's not even here,' she said.
Forrest ran a talent agency promoting and managing artists while his influence extended beyond music and saw him act as a concierge to celebrities providing access to exclusive restaurants and events as he built a reputation as a trendsetter.
'He was able to get into rooms other people couldn't get into,' Paul said. 'Basketball players would come into town and want to know the best restaurant to go to.
'He would get them reservations for places that were hard to get into, he would get you in. Percy was that guy.'
Tributes poured in on social media, with Bronx natives praising his contributions and charisma.
The 55-year-old's killing as sparked an outpouring of grief from friends, family, and fans
Known for his impeccable style and magnetic personality, Forrest was deeply embedded in the hip-hop world, managing artists
Percy Forrest, pictured, worked with Fat Joe as part of the Terror Squad in the late 90s and early 2000s
'Damn Percy, you just devastated a whole community of people with this,' one Instagram user wrote.
'This guy was the best dressed since we were kids,' wrote a childhood friend.
'This one hit different big bro just spoke with you before you went out there smh I got so much to say but some know what to say but I'm going hold you down King,' another added.
Wife, Paul, said she had decided to stay offline for the time being with her grief still being raw.
'I honestly have been staying away from social media. It's painful to see my husband's pictures over and over,' Paul told The News. 'The outpouring of love is beautiful to see but it's very painful.'
'It's like this is not real. It's like it's a bad dream and it's not true and he's going to call me and I'm just waiting to see him. I'm waiting for him to show up and it's not going to happen.'
His life, however, was not without challenges. Forrest faced legal battles, including an 18-month stint at Rikers Island before charges in a 2011 Harlem murder case were dismissed, and a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for an assault in Manhattan in 1995.
Despite the ordeal, Forrest remained resilient, with Fat Joe marveling at his friend's ability to forgive those who failed to support him during his trials.
Forrest ran a talent agency promoting and managing artists while his influence extended beyond music and saw him act as a concierge to celebrities
The Agenda Bar & Lounge was said to be crowded on the night of the stabbing but it was a venue Forrest was familiar with
'I couldn't imagine going through what Percy did and coming out with no grudges,' the rapper said in an interview last year.
Forrest's son, Dior, highlighted the love and respect his father commanded, even during the difficult times such as the court case.
'He wasn't short of love when he was going through that,' he said.
On the night of his death, Forrest had been enjoying a club he was familiar with at Agenda Lounge.
'I cannot even fathom what occurred. I just wish it was a night that he did not go,' daughter Denise said to the New York Daily News. 'I heard it was really really crowded that night.'
Paul revealed her husband had visited the venue multiple times, including a New Year's Eve celebration they had shared.
Forrest's ability to navigate both the streets and the music industry solidified his status as a Bronx legend.
As police continue to investigate, Forrest's family and friends are left grappling with their loss.
His widow, reflecting on his legacy, summed up the void she felt his passing leaves.
'I didn't realize that when I'm in here fussing about him taking out the garbage or changing a lightbulb, he goes outside and people treat him like he's this guy,' Paul said.
'I knew he was connected and he was well respected. I didn't realize the magnitude. I didn't know it went this far and I'm proud of him.'
