Shock waves have rippled through the local community due to the sudden death of East Bay rapper Tan DaGod, also known as Alliauna Green, who was shot and killed during a promotional event at Glamor Beauty Supply’s grand opening in North Oakland, California on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Well-known on social media with over 20,000 followers, Tan DaGod, 27, had been vigorously promoting her appearance at the store opening. However, the anticipated celebration turned into a horrifying ordeal around 5 p.m. when gunshots were heard, causing people to seek shelter in nearby stores, according to witnesses.
An employee from a neighboring restaurant shared his initial confusion, misinterpreting the gunshots as part of the music. The realization of the reality of the situation sparked panic when it became clear that a group of approximately six masked men had confronted Tan DaGod outside the store, resulting in a confrontation followed by the fatal shooting.
After being rushed to a local hospital, Tan DaGod was declared dead. Another individual was also shot but is anticipated to survive. The identity of the second victim remains undisclosed, and the perpetrator is still at large. The Oakland Police Department has yet to determine the motive behind the attack and has requested public assistance in identifying the suspect, who was reportedly wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
The rapper’s family believes Tan DaGod was targeted months after the release of her mixtape “Ex Wood Pack,” and a media tour. Many fans perceived her words as boasting about the killing of her ex-boyfriend, whom she alleged had been abusive. He was murdered in 2023. The cover art shows a picture of the two of them together, but his head is swapped out for a Backwoods blunt. “B—ch got ran down off of the principle. … that s—t is inadmissible … that ni—a ain’t gon’ never get a call again,” Tan DaGod raps on the song “He Say Im Kold.”
She appeared to reinforce her position during interviews. In one such instance, sitting beside a tombstone that read “RIP Here Lies My Ex,” Tan DaGod continued her provocations. “You should’ve never messed with me because now I have to escalate things… I did this to be extremely childish and provoke families. Too bad because they aren’t going to do anything about it,” she states in an interview clip reposted by a user on X. “As a matter of fact, I’m smoking on this dead ___ right now.”
Certain fans speculate that her death might be retribution or karma for everything she said about her ex. However, the Atlanta Black Star has not found any concrete evidence linking Tan DaGod to his murder.
Almost immediately after the news broke, tributes for Tan DaGod started appearing. Flowers, candles, and heartfelt messages were left outside the Glamor Beauty Supply store. Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B. mourned her loss on social media, characterizing Tan DaGod as an ambitious, courageous individual with a large heart.
Colleagues and friends remembered Tan DaGod’s dedication to her music and her commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses. “She was full of energy for life and love. She was very passionate about her career,” recalled Ernest Holloway, a close friend and collaborator on many music projects.
Another artist, Rakeem “Hazpain,” who was present at the event, described it as a gathering of peace, talent, and authenticity. The community’s expectation of a joyous event was shattered by the loss of a dynamic and promising young artist.
Having recently opened an Airbnb establishment in Florida, Tan DaGod was more than just a rapper; she was an entrepreneur. Her unexpected death during her visit to Oakland has left her friends and family grappling with the senseless act of violence. Holloway voiced his feelings of regret and helplessness, saying, “Because I know if I had been present, I could have taken precautions to ensure it wouldn’t have gone that far.”
The fallout from the shooting has instilled fear among local business owners, who are anxious about their customers’ safety and the potential impact on their enterprises. The Oakland Police Department continues to investigate the incident and is calling on anyone with useful information to step forward.
The untimely death of Tan DaGod adds to an increasing number of violent incidents in Oakland, eliciting calls for preventative action to curb the growing violence in the city. “Currently, it feels like we’re constantly mourning in Oakland. There’s been so much loss, one after another, and we desperately need to find a way to end it,” said Holloway.
