Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was killed on Oct. 20, 2011, near his hometown in Sirte. Reports continue to develop, but gruesome pictures of Gadhafi’s blood-drenched corpse have surfaced.
Gadhafi, 69, controlled Libya for 42 years before a militant group ignited an uprising that forced him to flee his palatial residence. And, although Gadhafi was condemned for his autocratic rule over his country, he connected well with the hip-hop community.
Gadhafi hired hip-hop stars to perform at his son’s, Hannibal Gadhafi, New Year’s Eve party in 2010. According to reports, Jay-Z, Usher and Russell Simmons attended the party. Beyoncé was paid $2 million for her performance, but she donated it to charity after being pressured by U.S. officials. 50 Cent was also performed and he, too, donated his payment to UNICEF.
In 2009, Mariah Carey received $1 million to perform at Moatessem Gadhafi’s party.
Nas once spoke in defense of Moammar Gadhafi, saying he was simply misunderstood. “I never saw Gadhafi as an enemy,” Nas said, “like a deadly enemy that wanted to harm people for no reason. I kind of see him as someone who is misunderstood. I think a revolution in Libya is important and I just hate to see that the people are against him … I hate to see any violence between him and his people. I just don’t like that.” –amir shaw
