The family of rapper Young Dolph has released a statement following the 36-year-old's death, thanking fans for "the outpouring of love."
Dolph—whose real name was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr.—was fatally shot at a Memphis cookie shop on November 17.
The "Major" rapper was reportedly inside Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies when an unknown gunman opened fire, police chief Cerelyn J. Davis told CNN.
"There are no words that exist, that sufficiently express the pain we are feeling as a family. Losing Adolph, Dolph, Man-Man, changes our lives forever," read the family's statement, according to Complex.
The independent rapper was known for giving back to his local community, and was handing out free Thanksgiving turkeys just a few days before he was shot.
The family statement continued: "And while we will take each day as it comes, we are comforted in knowing that he leaves a legacy that reflects his heart. A heart that was for his family. A heart that was for the people.
"We are grateful for the outpouring of love. We are grateful that his godly obligation to show kindness to the world is being acknowledged.
"As a family, we were blessed to call him our son, our nephew, our brother, our cousin, our partner and our Father. And now, we have the honor of calling him our angel. A role he has always played."
Young Dolph had two children with his partner Mia Jaye—a daughter named Ari and a son named Tre.
A number of well-known rappers have paid tribute to Dolph, including Megan Thee Stallion and Chance the Rapper.
"God bless Dolph Real independent Memphis rapper born in Chicago," tweeted Chance the Rapper. "Loved by millions of ppl. Always showed love everytime I seen him this is tragic... God bless his family man."
Megan Thee Stallion, who collaborated with Dolph on his 2020 single "RNB", shared a tribute on Instagram, reading: "Everybody that know me knows I play this man music EVERY DAY!
"He was so genuine so real so kind to me and tfarris always !!! Rest In Peace to a real legend."
The family's statement also included a quote from Rudyard Kipling, which reads: "If you can talk with the crowd and keep your virtue, or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run—Yours is the earth and everything that's in it, And—which is more—you'll be a man my son."
