Teen fatally shot in Md. was up-and-coming rapper

SUITLAND, Md. (AP) -- An 18-year-old man fatally shot near his home in Suitland was an up-and-coming rapper.

Prince George's County police say Douglas Brooks was found fatally shot outside an apartment complex early Sunday morning. Brooks' manager, Kevin Baldwin of the record label M.O.P3, tells The Washington Post that Brooks was better known as Swipey.

Baldwin says Swipey had already performed alongside rappers including Fat Joe and Wale, a Washington native.

The video for Swipey's song "Intro" has been viewed more than 130,000 times on YouTube and was shot in and around the Washington area.

Baldwin says Brooks graduated from high school but decided to pursue a career in music instead of attending Morgan State University.

"He just was a genius when it came to putting lyrics together. And sometimes when he used to do it I'd be like where did you get that from? It was like a God-given thing from him but he was humble," said Kevin Baldwin, Founder of Men of Principles Production.

Police say they don't believe Brooks' slaying was a random act of violence.