Biography of King Von
King Von, born Dayvon Daquan Bennett on August 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American rapper whose raw storytelling, street-centered lyricism, and distinctive drill sound quickly positioned him as one of the most promising rising artists of his generation. Coming from Chicago’s South Side—particularly the Parkway Gardens housing complex, famously known as O-Block—King Von’s upbringing shaped both his worldview and the narrative depth that would later define his music.
Von was raised primarily by his mother, as his father, Walter “Silk” Bennett, spent much of his life in and out of prison. Despite this limited presence, Von always spoke of his father with respect; however, his father was killed when Von was 11, an event that had a lasting emotional impact on him. Childhood in O-Block exposed him to poverty, gang conflicts, and violence early on. As a teenager, he became associated with the Black Disciples, a major Chicago street gang, and this affiliation influenced both his personal life and later his musical persona.
Before ever considering a music career, King Von faced significant legal struggles. He spent several years of his youth in and out of jail, including time in Cook County Jail, where he fought—and ultimately beat—a high-profile murder case in 2014. These early experiences would later become central themes in his storytelling. Throughout his interviews, Von often described how incarceration forced him to reflect, grow, and rethink his future, eventually motivating him to pursue music.
Von’s path changed when he reconnected with Chicago rapper Lil Durk, a fellow O-Block native and a prominent figure in the drill movement. Durk saw potential in Von’s talent for storytelling and signed him to his label, Only the Family (OTF). In 2018 and 2019, Von began releasing music that quickly earned him local and online attention. His breakout single, “Crazy Story,” released in December 2018, catapulted him to mainstream recognition. The track showcased his signature style—vivid, narrative-driven lyrics delivered with intensity and precision. Follow-up installments of “Crazy Story” continued to build his buzz.
In 2019, Von released his debut project “Grandson, Vol. 1,” a reference to a nickname he earned in the streets. The mixtape was well received and solidified his identity within the drill genre. He followed it with “Levon James” in 2020, a project that demonstrated his artistic growth and featured collaborations with Lil Durk, NLE Choppa, Polo G, and others. His work balanced gritty street narratives with glimpses of humor, introspection, and charisma.
Later in 2020, Von released his debut studio album, “Welcome to O’Block.” Many critics praised it as his strongest work, highlighting his maturing storytelling abilities and his ability to shift between aggressive drill anthems and more reflective tracks. Fans and industry peers widely viewed the project as evidence that Von was on the verge of major mainstream success.
However, King Von’s life was tragically cut short. On November 6, 2020, he was shot during an altercation outside a nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia. He died at age 26. His death sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community, with many artists mourning the loss of a rising star who had only just begun to realize his potential.
In the years since his passing, King Von’s music has continued to gain streams and influence. Posthumous projects and documentaries have attempted to preserve his legacy, while fans celebrate him as one of the most compelling narrators to emerge from the Chicago drill scene. Though his life was brief, King Von’s impact on modern rap remains significant, and his storytelling continues to resonate with listeners worldwide