“His bars were like short stories,” said local rapper Sincere Jay, a long-time collaborator. “He could take what we all saw every day—police sirens, empty fridges, lost homies—and make it poetry. He was Raleigh’s Nas.”

Albums That Left a Mark

MBK Grams’ discography was not vast in volume, but every project he released was carefully crafted and thematically rich. His 2018 breakout EP “Corner Confessions” became a cult favorite, blending soulful beats with unflinching honesty. The standout track, “Letter to the Block,” was a tribute to his fallen friends, his family, and his inner demons. It remains one of the most streamed songs by an independent artist from North Carolina on multiple platforms.

In 2021, he followed up with “Father Figure,” an album exploring fatherhood from multiple angles—his estranged relationship with his own father, his role as a mentor to neighborhood youth, and his dreams of one day starting a family of his own.

Music critic Deja Boone, writing for the North Carolina Hip-Hop Review, said:

“MBK Grams didn’t just make music. He bore witness. He documented pain with purpose. He held up a mirror to Raleigh and said, ‘Look—we are still here, still standing, still dreaming.’”

A Life Off Stage: Mentor, Brother, Advocate

Outside of the studio and stage, Melvin was deeply involved in community advocacy, particularly focused on youth mentorship and violence prevention. He partnered with grassroots organizations such as One Raleigh, Voice of the Block, and Hope For Tomorrow, offering free music production workshops, poetry sessions, and life skills classes to at-risk youth.

“He wasn’t about handouts—he was about showing people their own power,” said Tonya Willis, director of Voice of the Block. “He’d come into a room full of young men, and within five minutes, he had their attention, their respect, and their trust.”

Melvin also helped raise money for funeral costs for families affected by gun violence and organized multiple back-to-school drives. “He always said that if he made it, he wouldn’t forget where he came from—and he never did,” Willis added.

The Shock of His Death and Immediate Reactions

The details surrounding MBK Grams’ passing have not been officially confirmed by family or authorities, but multiple sources have described it as sudden and unexpected. News of his death broke early Tuesday morning, May 20, 2025, spreading quickly across social media and prompting a flood of tributes, remembrances, and emotional messages from across the city and the national hip-hop scene.

Fans created digital memorials using the hashtag #LongLiveGrams, and a vigil was held outside Southside Studio, where Grams recorded much of his work. The atmosphere was heavy with grief—but also filled with his music, his words, his presence.

Local radio stations played his tracks on repeat, and DJs across the city opened their sets with shoutouts and dedications.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin released a statement, saying:

“Teddy Melvin, aka MBK Grams, gave a voice to Raleigh’s soul. His loss is deeply felt. Our city mourns one of its brightest stars, but we remain grateful for the legacy of resilience and hope he leaves behind.”

The People He Leaves Behind

Melvin is survived by his grandmother Mae Melvin, his younger sister Kira, and a tight circle of close friends and collaborators. Known for his loyalty, Grams was a fixture in his neighborhood not just as an artist, but as someone who showed up for people—in times of celebration and in struggle.

“He showed me how to keep my head up when I felt like I had nothing left,” said Javon “Lil Ghost” King, a 17-year-old artist mentored by Grams. “He saw something in me when I couldn’t see it in myself.”

Melvin’s sister Kira issued a statement through the family:

“Teddy was not just our family. He was family to the whole block, the whole city. He gave his life to making others feel seen. We ask for privacy during this time and thank everyone for the love and prayers.”

Plans for Memorials, Tributes, and Legacy Projects

A public memorial concert is being planned at Red Hat Amphitheater, with proceeds going to a fund supporting youth art programs in the city. Collaborators have also confirmed that Grams was working on a new album, “Still Breathing,” set for release later this year. The team is exploring ways to finish and release the project posthumously, preserving his vision and message.

There is also an initiative underway to rename the South Park Community Center in his honor, recognizing his contributions to both music and community building. “He made that place more than a center—it was a sanctuary,” said community leader Andre Lewis.

A Lasting Echo

In a city often marked by the headlines of violence, gentrification, and disparity, MBK Grams stood as proof of what beauty could emerge from the margins. He turned pain into purpose. He gave boys permission to cry, men permission to heal, and an entire city a reason to believe in itself.

His voice may be gone, but his message endures. Every verse, every beat, every conversation he had with a kid who thought no one saw them—that’s the real legacy.

And that’s something death can never silence.

Rest in Power, Teddy Melvin (MBK Grams).
You were your brother’s keeper.
You were Raleigh’s voice.
And you are not forgotten.

For updates on the public memorial, unreleased music, and the MBK Grams Foundation for Youth Arts, please visit www.mbkgramslegacy.org or follow @MBKGramsLegacy on all major platforms.

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