HOUSTON – Local up-and-coming rapper Obie Noir was gunned down in downtown Houston early Monday morning, police said. His death follows a recent trend of Texas rappers killed by gun violence. I’m tired of that being breaking news,” said McKinney, who manages Houston legends Lil Flip and Z-Ro. AdLast week, another local up-and-coming rapper from Houston Chucky Trill was killed in a shooting in Atlanta before All-Star weekend. McKinney believes that if the positive often un-broadcasted elements of rap artists’ lives were more celebrated, it could help end the violent trend.