Goonew

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Goonew
Also known asGoonrich, Goonwick, Wick, Big 64, The Biggest Goon[1]
Born
Markelle Antonio Morrow

(1997-05-14)May 14, 1997
Forestville, Maryland, U.S
DiedMarch 18, 2022(2022-03-18) (aged 24)
Prince George's County, Maryland, U.S
Genres
Occupation
  • Rapper
Years active2017–2022
Label
  • MPR (Mony Powr RSpt)

Markelle Antonio Morrow (May 14, 1997 - March 18, 2022), professionally known as Goonew, was an American rapper from Maryland.

Rising to prominence in the DMV rap scene, Goonew gained attention for his whisper flow style and lyricism.[2][3] His music often explored themes of street life, indulging in street narcotics, and the challenges of urban environments. Goonew's career was marked by collaborations with artists including Lil Yachty, Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Xanman, ASAP Ant.[4] The release of several mixtapes garnered him a growing fan base.[5][6]

Goonew died on March 18, 2022, from a gunshot wound.[7] His family, friends and fans held a memorial at a nightclub where his corpse was propped up on stage dressed in designer clothing.[8]

Early life and career

Markelle Antonio Morrow was born on May 14, 1997, in Forestville, Maryland. He began rapping in 2017 when he was inspired by a friend and rapper, Big Flock.[9][1]

Morrow began releasing his music onto platforms the same year he began rapping. Throughout his career, he released several projects, such as Certified Goon, Beware Of Goon, Big 64, Goonrich Urkel, Goonwick 2, Back From Hell, Homixide Boyz 2, Still Servin, and Short Temper.[10][11][12][13][14]

Death and memorial

On March 18, 2022, Morrow was fatally shot in a parking lot at approximately 5:40 PM on Walters Lane at District Heights in Prince George's County, Maryland. He was pronounced dead at the Prince George's County hospital at 7:30 PM. He died at the age of 24.[15] Following his death, a $25,000 reward for finding the shooter was released to the public.[16]

Following his death, fans of Morrow, his family,[17] and other rappers and friends showcased their condolences to the rapper, with some notable names being YungManny, IDK, and Cordae, amongst others.[10]

To honor Morrow's success and career, his family, friends, and fans held a memorial at a nightclub where his corpse was propped up on stage dressed in designer clothing.[18][19]

Musical style and artistry

Morrow is a member of the DMV rap scene.[20][21] He's known for his whisper rap flow, which has been positively received amongst music reviewers and fans.[1][2][3]

Discography

Studio albums and mixtapes

Title Album details
Certified Goon
  • Released: August 22, 2017
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Beware of Goon
  • Released:November 14, 2017
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Homicide Boyz
  • Released: January 1, 2018
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Goonwick
  • Released: February 9, 2018
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Big 64
  • Released: July 10, 2018
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Goonrich Urkel
  • Released: October 31, 2018
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Goonwick 2
  • Released: March 13, 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Homicide Boyz 2
  • Released: August 22, 2018
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
Still Servin

(album)
  • Released: February 28, 2019
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
Back From Hell
  • Released: October 1, 2019
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
Big64 2
  • Released: June 19, 2020
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming
Short Temper
  • Released: March 26, 2021
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital Download, Streaming

See also

References

  1. Ju, Shirley (July 22, 2020). "Goonew: A Regular Person Who Likes To Get Money Off Rap". AllHipHop. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  2. Burney, Lawrence (2018-08-21). "Goonew Is The DMV Rapper Making Eerie Whisper Raps Cool". VICE. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  3. "Perspective | The year's best rappers sounded ahead of their time. Literally". The Washington Post. 2019-12-13. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  4. Goddard, Kevin (2017-09-20). "A$AP Ant Releases New Song "4UP" Feat. Goonew & Knocklehead". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  5. Pierre, Alphonse (2020-03-16). "The Ones: Lil Dude and Goonew's "Do-Si-Dos"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  6. Pearce, Sheldon (2019-10-03). "The Ones: Goonew's "What It Was"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  7. O'Connor, Roisin (April 7, 2022). "Rapper's family defend decision to prop 'dead body' on club stage". The Independent. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  8. Gilbert, Asha C. "Viral videos of slain rapper's body onstage at nightclub send social media into a frenzy". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
  9. Thomas, Sidney (March 25, 2022). "Remembering Goonew". Washington City Paper. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  10. Coleman, C. Vernon II (March 19, 2022). "Goonew Reportedly Shot and Killed". XXL. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  11. Richards, Chris (March 19, 2022). "Goonew made rap music feel timeless in his own way". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  12. Helfand, Raphael (March 21, 2022). "Maryland Rapper Goonew Shot and Killed at Age 24". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  13. Montes, Patrick (October 31, 2018). "Goonew Enlists Lil Dude, Brodinski & More for 'Goonrich Urkel'". Hypebeast. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  14. Burney, Lawrence (October 22, 2019). "Watch Goonew bring "Moesha" to Maryland in his newest video". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  15. "Police Investigating Fatal Shooting of DC-Area Rapper Goonew". NBC Washington. March 21, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  16. "Family of Goonew Talks After His Home-Going Celebration Sparks Controversy". FOX 5 DC. April 5, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  17. "DMV rapper fatally shot in Prince George's County Friday, police say". WUSA9. March 21, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  18. "Goonew's family defends decision to display rapper's body at D.C. nightclub memorial". Yahoo News. April 6, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  19. Reese, Alexis (April 5, 2022). "D.C. Club Apologizes After Dead Rapper's Body Seemed Propped Up on Stage". NBC News. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  20. Lafontant, Olivier (2026-06-03). "The New DMV". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
  21. Burney, Lawrence (September 19, 2018). "Cheecho is the mastermind behind the buzzing DMV rap sound". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.