Opening statements are expected to begin today in the long-awaited trial of Jacksonville rapper Hakeem Robinson, better known by his stage name Ksoo. The trial comes five years after Robinson was arrested and charged in connection to the 2020 murder of rapper Charles McCormick Jr., a.k.a. Lil Buck.

Robinson faces charges of first-degree murder, along with co-defendant Leroy Whittaker. Although the two are being tried at the same time, they will each have separate juries. Meanwhile, Robinson’s brother, Abdul Robinson Jr., is also charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case but will be tried separately.

The case has drawn national attention, not only due to Robinson’s ties to the Jacksonville rap scene—including his affiliation with rapper Yungeen Ace—but also because of an unusual twist: Robinson’s own father has agreed to testify against him as part of a plea deal.

The fatal shooting took place in January 2020 at the Dames Point Plaza in Arlington, Florida. Prosecutors claim that Robinson and his associates were part of a violent gang that targeted rivals, and they intend to use KSOO’s own lyrics as evidence. One song in particular, titled "Who I Smoke," is expected to be presented in court as a potential confession to not only McCormick’s murder but also the 2019 killing of 16-year-old Adrian Gaynor, aka Bibby.

Prosecutors argue that the lyrics in "Who I Smoke" directly reference both victims, suggesting premeditation and gang involvement. The song, which gained viral attention in 2021, sparked controversy for its use of melodic samples while listing names of slain individuals.

Jury selection began earlier this week and is expected to wrap by lunchtime today, clearing the way for opening statements to begin.

The Robinson trial is being closely watched—not just by legal experts and hip-hop fans, but also by those concerned with how lyrics and art are increasingly being used as evidence in criminal trials. This case may become a key example in the growing national debate around freedom of expression versus criminal liability in the rap industry.

Stay tuned for further updates as the trial continues.

Source: First Coast News