A nightclub has sparked an outrage after hosting a ‘funeral’ that featuring what appeared to be the embalmed corpse of a rapper who was shot dead during a robbery two weeks ago.
Fans of rapper Goonew were left aghast after cellphone recordings emerged from the event, dubbed The Final Show, which was hosted by club Bliss in Washington DC on Sunday.
The 24-year-old rapper, whose real name was Markelle Morrow, was shot dead on the night of March 18 in the 3400 block of Walters Lane in the District Heights neighborhood.
His mother, Patrice Parker Morrow, said that her son was shot in the back during a robbery and a large bejeweled pendant he always wore was stolen, reported NBC4.
A funeral for Washington DC-based rapper Markelle Morrow, 24, who performed under the stage name Goonew, took place at Bliss nightclub, where his embalmed body was apparently put on public display
Viral videos and photos from the raucous funeral show the deceased dressed in designer clothes and sporting a crown
Mourners were said to have paid $40 cover charge to enter the club. Videos show people in the crowded venue dancing and singing around the dead rapper’s body
Morrow was shot and killed in Washington DC on March 18 during a robbery, according to his family
On Sunday, a large crowd of mourners gathered to say goodbye to the up-and-coming rapper at Bliss, which bills itself as an ‘elegant, luxurious, cutting-edge, stylish and hip lounge,’ and ‘the perfect place for a sophisticated night of lounging and dancing.’
The celebrity news site The Shade Room reported that guests paid a $40 cover charge to attend the home-going for Morrow.
Videos recorded during the event show what appears to be Morrow’s body, with his eye open, propped up on a stage sporting a designer Amiri hooded sweatshirt, ripped jeans decorated with flames and sneakers, accessorized with a watch and a gold crown.
People in the crowd are seen dancing and singing with much enthusiasm while multi-colored strobe lights illuminate the packed venue. At one point, fireworks are set off right next to Morrow.
Many commenters on Instagram were appalled by this macabre display, describing it as ‘weird,’ ‘disturbing’ and overall disrespectful.
Others, however, defended having Morrow’s body up on stage, suggesting that it was what his family wanted.
The management of Bliss nightclub released a statement on its Instagram page on Monday, seeking to distance itself from the growing firestorm surrounding the controversial funeral.
‘Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew’s home-going celebration,’ the message read in part. ‘Bliss was never made aware of what would transpire. We sincerely apologize to all those who may be upset or offended.
‘Please keep Goonew’s family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time.’
Bliss club’s management on Monday sought to distance itself from the controversy surrounding the unusual funeral, stating that the club ‘was never made away of what would transpire’
Police are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Morrow’s killing
While it is unclear from the videos and photos taken during the funeral that the figure on the stage was Morrow’s actual body, as opposed to a wax effigy, rapper Black Fortune, who performed at the event, insisted that it was, in fact, the dead rapper’s real corpse.
Black Fortune wrote on his Instagram Stories: ‘No this ain’t no wax figure my Brodie went out gansta.’
Calls and emails to Bliss seeking comment were not immediately returned on Monday afternoon.
More than two weeks after Morrow’s death, no arrests have been made. Police in Prince George’s County are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.