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Dallas mourned the loss of rising rap star ZeeTheWizard on Monday after he died in the hospital from critical injuries sustained in a New Year’s Day shooting. Social media was quickly flooded with tributes to the Oak Cliff rapper, whose real name was Zec’Qurie Cannon Grant Fields. No arrests have been announced in connection with the shooting.
His family was among those who eulogized him on social media, with a statement from his sister reading, in part:
“Zee was more than an artist. He was a light. He consistently encouraged people to stay positive, keep going, and choose hope even when life gets heavy. While we are devastated by this loss, we ask everyone who loved him to help carry that message forward, not only through his music, but through the way you treat each other, the way you show up for your people, and the way you choose love.”
Best known for songs such as “Chevy” and “Anticap Music,” the 25-year-old artist was one of several people wounded in the shooting at the grand opening of adult entertainment club Pink House Dallas in the early morning hours on Jan 1. The conditions of the other victims were not disclosed.
ZeeTheWizard was the brightest new rapper on the local scene, with 2026 anticipated to be a breakout year for his career. The Observer recognized his emerging popularity as one of the hottest artists to watch in 2025. In August, he signed a record deal with Future’s Freebandz Gang label and later received cosigns from rap stars like Meek Mill and fellow Dallasite BigXThaPlug. By December, he landed on our list of the top 25 rappers of 2025 in Dallas-Fort Worth.
When news of the shooting first broke, Chicago rapper G Herbo revealed that a collaboration with Zee was set to be released next week.
“Shit krazy I was with you and gone support you 100% bro,” G Herbo wrote in an Instagram story of a photo of him and Zee. “I wanted to see you shine for real. Long live you bro! Real good dude man. Genuine dude. I hate this had to be yo story. We just shot our video a week ago man, smh.”
“So so sad about his passing,” wrote Harriet Hunt of Dallas on Facebook. “We prayed hard. Seemed like a really nice young man with a promising music career. My condolences to his family and friends.”
He grew up in Oak Cliff and DeSoto, raised by his mother, LaShannon Grant, who referred to him as her “third heartbeat” on social media.
Before he began his career as a musician, ZeeTheWizard was an athlete from a young age. When an injury sidelined his sports aspirations, he turned to music. Upon his death, several of his former coaches and teachers reflected on watching his journey as a young man.
Corey Borner of Dallas, who coached Zee in football, shared a throwback photo to honor the rapper, writing, “This hurts… I knew you before you started rapping. You called me your hero. May god continue to be with you and your family. Lord, this hit so so hard. When will these shootings stop. @zeethewizard with faith and trust in god, I will leave it all in your hands.”
“When I tell you he was super smart, respectful, and athletic, you better believe me,” wrote Lori Yvette Pecos, his former educator, on Instagram. “He was the most genuine person, who just wanted to help his family!”
ZeeTheWizard began pursuing hip-hop professionally in 2023 with early tracks “Where To Start” and “Your Body.” He matched a distinct vocal tone with raps about hustling and dressed it with an authentic candor. His star power amplified as he linked up with a collective of childhood friends across North Texas who also rap, known as New Dallas. The collective emphasizes peace and unity within the DFW music scene.
His catalog includes four albums, beginning with W.I.Z.: Who Is Zee in July 2024 and Words of Wizdom in April 2025. For many, he was an inspiration to others with his message of making dreams come true through hustling. He was next up in the New Dallas movement to become a Dallas breakout alongside artists like Zillionaire Doe, Montana 700, Headhuncho Amir and Hustleman Quise, who all signed major record deals in 2025.
His New Dallas movement contemporaries paid their respects. Zillionaire Doe wrote to his late friend, “Damn baby boy, I thought you had it, man. Until we meet again, I know one thang, fasho we balled hard and enjoyed this shit every chance we could. Love ya, man. See ya on da other side. Since Saints vs Comet days.”
Headhuncho Amir remembered his childhood friend with a collage of photos and videos on Instagram. Amir captioned the post: “I’m talm ’bout since kids to grown men, we been locked. I’m lost for words, it hurt even deeper when 20 minutes after I got done praying that you pull through, I get the text you ain’t make it. I’ll never let them forget about you. To know Zee is to know bro was a cool, genuine, loving, respectful person. Ms. Shannon raised you well. You ain’t deserve that shit kid. I’m glad I gave you your flowers every time I seen you.”
Amir continued: “You’re one of them ones, I meant that. Damn, you just signed to Future… You were doing yo roll out. I can’t stop crying. I wish this shit was all a dream. I love you 4E, New D. We just lost an important piece to the puzzle. We gone hold it down.”
ZeeTheWizard is survived by his two children. His family says details on candlelight vigils and funeral arrangements will be announced soon.
