Teenage rapper stabbed to death after performing first single at nightclub

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:52 PM on 03rd August 2009

A teenage rapper died from stab wounds after being attacked outside a nightclub where he had just played a gig, police sources said today.

Carl Beatson Asiedu, 19, from Norbury, south London, was found by officers in one of three cars stopped for ignoring a red light at 5.12am on Saturday in Baylis Road, Waterloo, south London.

The victim, a student at De Montfort University in Leicester, was being driven to hospital by friends when their car was stopped, according to reports.

Fatal attack: Carl Beatson Asiedu performed a gig at Club Life in Kennington before he was stabbed in a fight outside the nightclub

Fatal attack: Carl Beatson Asiedu performed a gig at Club Life in Kennington before he was stabbed in a fight outside the nightclub

The ambulance service was called but Mr Beatson Asiedu was pronounced dead at the scene at 5.36am.

A post-mortem examination held at Greenwich mortuary gave the cause of death as stabbing injuries.

Today, police were questioning two men, aged 18 and 20, on suspicion of murder.

Mr Beatson Asiedu, nicknamed Charmz, had performed his first single with DJ trio Kid 'N' Play at Club Life in Kennington, before he and another man were stabbed in a fight outside the nightclub.

The second man - also believed to be 19 years old - was found in Goding Street with stab wounds. He was taken to a south London hospital and has since been discharged.

Family friend Donitta Sabblah, 19, who had watched Mr Beatson perform at the club, said: 'My friend was driving up past the club and saw someone drop to the ground. When he drove past he realised it was Carl. That's when he turned around and picked him up. He was trying to get him to hospital when police stopped them.'

Ms Sabblah told how she spoke to Carl shortly before leaving the club at 5am. She said: 'He told me it was getting too late and I should get home. He was always looking after everyone else. I don't know if I could've helped or stopped it in some way, but it's just terrible. I just don't understand.'

Friend Chris Mukoko, 19, said he left the club early on the night of his friend's death.

He said: 'I felt uncomfortable as there was a bit of hostility around the place, so I left. I was going to tell Carl but he was on stage. I wish I had told him. I didn't think anything would ever happen to a guy like him. He was so popular and wasn't involved in gangs. I'd never even seen him have one argument in the six years we knew each other.'

More than 4,000 people joined a tribute group on social networking site Facebook with hundreds of messages dedicated to the 'funny' and 'talented' musician.

According to friends, the teenager was planning to release his first single, Buy Out Da Bar, when he was killed.

Christopher Coco told how a group of the rapper's friends were now working with a production company to make a professional music video with an anti-knife crime message and others were making T-shirts as a tribute.

He said: 'Charmz loved music. It's what he would have wanted. His life was cut short and it wouldn't be fair if we didn't push his first single.

'I want the video to be finished before his funeral so that we can raise money to support his family.'

He added: 'Charmz was very popular. He had no problem with anyone and no-one hated him. He was funny, and, hence his nickname, charming.'

Mr Beatson is the 11th teenager to be killed in the capital this year. Eight of those have been stabbed to death.

Police have arrested an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old in connection with the killing and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.