“Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox”: Dead Rapper’s Body Propped Up On Stage In DC Nightclub For His “Final Show”

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Back in 1993, Joe Diffie said to prop him up beside the jukebox if he died.

Well it looks like somebody else had the same idea…

Washington D.C. rapper Goonew, whose real name was Markelle Morrow, was shot and killed on March 18 in the District Heights neighborhood of Maryland at the age of 24.

This past weekend, a memorial service billed as a “Final Show” was held at Bliss Nightclub in DC – and the dead rapper made an appearance at his own funeral.

According to cell phone videos of the event, Goonew’s body was propped up on the stage, with his eyes open and wearing a gold crown. No word on whether his boots were filled up with sand or whether there was a stiff drink in his hand…

There was even speculation that it may not have actually been his body but may have been a wax figure instead, but rapper Black Fortune, who performed at the event, posted on his Instagram story that this was in fact Goonew’s corpse on display.

Guests reportedly paid $40 for tickets to the event, and a statement from Bliss says that the venue was unaware that the rapper’s body would be propped up on display for all to see:

“Our deepest condolences to Goonew’s family, friends, and fans. Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew’s home-going celebration. Bliss was never made aware of what would transpire. We sincerely apologize to all who may be upset or offended. Please keep Goonew’s family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time.”

Some on social media were outraged at the display, while others defended it as what his family chose to do to honor their fallen son.

And Goonew’s family also issued statements calling those who attacked the display “rude” and “insensitive.”

Said his mother, Patrice Morrow:

“For all the negatives, people probably don’t even know nothing about us. They have no idea. People just saying what they want to say and that’s fine. That’s perfectly fine. I’m pleased with how I sent my son away. I wish people would just let me grieve in peace.”

And according to his sister, Ariana Morrow:

“We don’t care about anybody and what ya’ll have to say negative. Nobody. We don’t care. They’re like, I know his mama wouldn’t approve of that. Yeah, she did, she was on stage with us.”

I mean, I guess it’s not THAT much different than having an open-casket funeral, right?

And in case anybody’s wondering what to do with my body after I die, well, Joe Diffie summed it up best:

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