The violent killing of Cali Swag District member Mante “M-Bone” Talbert at just 22 years of age has rippled through the hip hop community, with many celebrities and fans shocked by the news and saddened at the loss of a rising young talent. As police officials in Inglewood, California continue to gather evidence in this brutal murder, the remaining Cali Swag members are doing their best to maintain their composure and stay upright even as they mourn their lost friend.
On the same day the collective got nominated for Best Group at the 2011 BET Awards, C-Smoove and JayAre of CSD were interviewed by gossip site TMZ in a live video and asserted that M-Bone was not involved in any illicit activity. “I wanna clear up, It had nothing to do with gang violence, it wasn’t nothin’ like that. It was just a ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ situation. We just gotta stay strong for the homey,” said a visibly shaken C-Smoove. C-Smoove went on to add, “We don’t know who’s responsible for it or what the case may be. It’s just bad, man. We’re just gonna leave it up to the law right now because there’s really nothing we can do.”
In an emotional moment, C-Smoove broke down after the TMZ interviewer asked he and JayAre about what message they wanted to share with M-Bone’s family saying, “we are his family” in near unison with JayAre with his voice breaking into cracks. And it seems fans of CSD on Twitter are just as touched.
“Feels so sorry for Cali Swag District. Thats just devasting,” tweeted fan FadelAttraction after viewing the TMZ clip. SourPatch_Girl had the same reaction to the interview tweeting, “aww..i wanna cry, R.I.P M-Bone.” – repeating a recurring sentiment shared throughout the Internet.
“R.I.P. to my young boy M-BONE one of the most energetic down to earth,young man i ever had a chance to meet in person!” tweeted user BIGGAINMGMT JAMES WILLIAMS JR.
The Inglewood Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward and call its homicide division at (310) 412-5246 or its 24-hour anonymous hotline number, (888) 41 CRIME, or (888) 412-7463.
