The abrupt death of East Bay rapper Tan DaGod, born Alliauna Green, has left the local community in a state of shock. The artist was fatally shot during a meet-and-greet event at the grand opening of Glamor Beauty Supply in North Oakland, California on July 13, 2024.
With over 20,000 followers on social media, Tan DaGod had actively publicized her appearance at the event. What was intended to be a celebration of the beauty supply store’s opening turned into a scene of terror around 5 p.m. Eyewitnesses recounted hearing gunshots and seeing people scramble for safety, with some seeking shelter in nearby stores.
A worker at a neighboring restaurant initially thought the shooting was part of the music being played at the event. However, the situation swiftly escalated into panic when it became clear that the gunfire was real. Witnesses claim that a group of about six masked men confronted Tan DaGod outside the store, which then escalated into a shooting.
Following the incident, Tan DaGod was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Another individual was also shot but is expected to survive. The identity of the second victim remains undisclosed, and the shooter is still at large. The Oakland Police Department has yet to identify a motive for the attack and is appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the suspect, who was reportedly wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
Shortly after the tragic event, tributes for Tan DaGod started to flow in. Flowers and candles were placed outside the Glamor Beauty Supply store, accompanied by heartfelt messages from fans and the local community. Fellow Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B. paid tribute on social media, expressing his sorrow 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 musicians highlighted Tan DaGod’s love for music and her commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses. “She was full of energy for life and love. She was very passionate about her career,” stated Ernest Holloway, a close friend who had collaborated with her on multiple music projects.
Rakeem “Hazpain,” another artist who attended the event, described the atmosphere: “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 was looking forward to a joyful occasion, but instead, they were left to grieve the loss of a vibrant and promising young artist.
Tan DaGod was not just a rapper but also an entrepreneur. She had recently opened an Airbnb in Florida and was visiting Oakland when the tragic incident occurred. Her friends and family are grappling with the senseless act of violence that ended her life. Holloway expressed a feeling of 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 shooting has created a climate of fear among the local business community. Owners in the strip mall where the incident took place have voiced concerns about customer safety and the potential impact on their businesses. The Oakland Police Department is currently investigating the case, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information to step forward.
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.
The murder of Tan DaGod adds to a growing number of violent incidents in Oakland, leading to calls for measures 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 remarked.
