Fredo Bang is mourning the loss of a man who shaped the trajectory of his entire career.
West Clark aka Cleezy5, a 46-year-old music executive and CEO of TBG Records, was gunned down outside Gain God Fitness on Woodcrest near Greenwell Springs Road in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, April 29.
Two masked shooters opened fire on Cleezy5 in broad daylight around 12:15 p.m., killing him at the scene in what police describe as a calculated, targeted hit.
Cleezy5’s death represents a massive blow to the Baton Rouge hip-hop ecosystem.
In his statement to WAFB, Fredo Bang didn’t hold back about Cleezy5 impact.
“West was one of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet. He would do anything for the people he loved. He helped countless people around Baton Rouge, single mothers, promoters, and radio. Anyone who needed him, he was there. Without him, me and Gee Money’s music and a few more artists’ would never have reached as far as it has,” Fredo Bang said.
The rapper’s words paint a picture of someone who operated behind the scenes, making moves that elevated entire careers.
According to BRPD Lt. L’Jean McKneely, the execution-style shooting involved two suspects who arrived at the gym already masked and ready to act.
“We know it was two persons they walked up, they were masked, had masks on their face prior to doing the shooting, while doing the shooting,” McKneely explained.
The suspects fled in a nearby vehicle after the attack. Police are treating this as a targeted operation, not a random act of violence.
The investigation has revealed possible connections to organized groups operating in Baton Rouge, though authorities remain cautious about publicly naming specific organizations at this stage.
“We see and feel that there is some association involving certain groups here in Baton Rouge but it’s nothing we can openly say at this time because it is an ongoing investigation,” McKneely stated.
Cleezy5’s role as a music executive and his ties to TBG, the Top Boy Gorilla collective, place him at the center of the city’s hip-hop infrastructure, making him a visible figure in a scene marked by territorial tensions.
Police are actively seeking information from the public.
“We know there’s a lot of social media chatter about this particular shooting, and we’re asking if anybody knows anything, please call us,” McKneely said.