Rapper Lil Xelly shot dead outside Sleep Inn in Rockville

Underground rapper Lil Xelly was fatally shot outside the Sleep Inn in Rockville, Maryland.

Rapper Lil Xelly was tragically shot and killed on Thursday, January 16, outside the Sleep Inn Hotel in Rockville, Maryland. 

Lil Xelly’s body was discovered on January 17. On that morning, Montgomery County Police came across a white BMW with bullet holes during a routine patrol at the intersection of Research Boulevard and Shady Grove Road. Upon investigating the vehicle, officers found the body of an adult male inside. Shortly after, a second body, that of a woman, was discovered nearby.

The police later linked the two deaths and arrested 25-year-old Kaloyan Dimov Stoev as the suspected perpetrator. While the authorities have not officially confirmed the victims’ identities, reports indicate that Lil Xelly was the male found in the BMW.

At just 21 years old, Lil Xelly had quickly made a name for himself in the underground music scene. Known for his versatility and work ethic, he was able to connect deeply with young listeners, often sharing personal experiences through his music. 

REST IN PEACE LIL XELLY 🙏

A TRUE UNDERGROUND LEGEND

HOMIE DROPPED A 100 SONG MIXTAPE ON SOUNDCLOUD AT ONE POINT, HIS WORK ETHIC WAS UNMATCHED

ONE OF THE FIRST ARTIST I FOLLOWED HEAVILY

pic.twitter.com/LU2c9ULqPr

— NEWESTMAG (@newestmagazine) January 17, 2025

Lil Xelly’s passion for music began early, and by middle school, he was already recording tracks and sharing them on platforms like Spinrilla. While his early releases didn’t gain significant traction, he eventually found success on SoundCloud, where his talent was discovered by a broader audience.

His breakout mixtape, 'More Xelly' (2017), helped him gain a following, and he continued to build his fanbase with subsequent releases like 'Lil Xelly the Mixtape' (2019), 'Side Effects' (2020), and 'xelly & friends' (2022). With over 19,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, 14,000 followers on SoundCloud, and more than 4,200 subscribers on YouTube, Lil Xelly was becoming a rising star in the underground rap world.