Grief is an individualized process, though Goonew’s family and diehard fans’ way of celebrating his life left many perplexed.
The rapper—whose real name is Markelle Morrow—was gunned down just over two weeks ago, as Blavity previously reported. Specifically, Goonew was killed in his hometown of District Heights, Maryland, on March 18. An unknown perpetrator robbed Goonew and shot him in the back, and he was pronounced dead less than 2 hours later.
‘I don’t believe this’ | DMV rapper Goonew fatally shot in Prince George’s County Friday The mother of the 24-year-old rapper is grief stricken. She told WUSA9, “He had a heart bigger than his body, when they took him, they took me.” https://t.co/vxotQzQZEW pic.twitter.com/jkaunAD0OT
— Megan Rivers (@MegMRivers) March 20, 2022
This past weekend, a celebration of life was held for the rapper at Bliss Nightclub in Washington, D.C. Pictures and video from the event, named “The Last Show,” soon began circulating, and they appeared to show Goonew’s dead body being propped up onstage for attendees to view.
Popular rapper Goonew was shot and killed in Prince George’s County. His family hosted his funeral in a club where his body was propped up like a mannequin to join the celebration. pic.twitter.com/ge1mvpzISq
— Coki (@Zucoki) April 4, 2022
It’s worth noting that it isn’t exactly clear whether the body was a mannequin or his real, embalmed body.
Despite this, Twitter users soon began doing what they do best: sharing their unsolicited opinions. Check out what people had to say about Goonew’s celebration of life.
As you may have guessed, most people were left rather unsettled by the news.
Seeing Goonew’s body in the club like that as a funeral was one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen.
— AMIL D’MOR (@amildmor) April 4, 2022
that goonew vid jus confirmed that ppl really don’t fear God anymore
— jess (@thejessog) April 4, 2022
no way y’all think goonew standing up at bliss is okay as a funeral. ain’t no way
— 🐐 (@rickyyb4e) April 3, 2022
One user even suggested that society was collectively “set back” by The Last Show.
That Goonew shit just set us back at least 35 years
— 💔 (@killmesIime) April 4, 2022
People also questioned whether or not Goonew would’ve wanted his body put on display like that.
i don’t think Goonew wanted that y’all
— m a c (@jxstmac) April 3, 2022
Bro passed away over 2 Weeks ago and they really have his corpse pinned against a wall standing up in the club 🤦🏽♂️He aint ask for that! #goonew #goonew64 #rip pic.twitter.com/TOwN54fQz5
— moses (@mosestheredd) April 4, 2022
Strangers also assumed that the rapper’s mother would not have been okay with the incident.
no way goonew mama approved that shit that’s so sad & disrespectful
— T. (@_AllHailTiffany) April 3, 2022
Twitter users also shared their thoughts on how the Goonew deserved a more proper sending-off ceremony.
Goonew deserved better bro, you niggas are sick pic.twitter.com/gTAmzNBS0U
— THE ENDS (@niggerzaza) April 4, 2022
Tbh goonew deserved way better in my opinion, long live him tho❤️ pic.twitter.com/BdNs9fX6tB
— t3❤️🔥 (@3babyrackz) April 3, 2022
The club in question, Bliss Nightclub, was also called out online.
The owner of bliss needs to hire a pastor and an imam to cleanse that hoe . Because that shit is insane . I get that the family could’ve wants that . But I wouldn’t have any that kind of energy at my establishment #Goonew
— 🦋🦋🦋 (@Sweetlekwataaa) April 4, 2022
Whoever thought of having Goonew dead body standing up in Bliss gotta be the wildest nigga in the DMV rn
— Rip Dad ❤️ (@BenjiFrenzi) April 4, 2022
Don’t gotta catch me ever going to Bliss after I just seen that they had Goonew body just chilling in that bitch lastnight… ya niggas is weird asf.
— The FreeMinded (@BigPapiLocsta98) April 4, 2022
On the other end of the spectrum, people also noted that people were really partying it up for Goonew.
they lit as shit for goonew tho I can’t lie
— BAY (@lulbayla) April 4, 2022
There were also a couple of memes that were made about the matter.
Had goonew in dat bih like pic.twitter.com/G5uzN5xm9h
— 🐾🐾🩸 (@FuckNickx) April 4, 2022
People also shut down naysayers by pointing out that only the family’s opinion truly matters.
The fact that y’all mad at Goonew’s family decision on how HIS funeral shouldve went is crazy. Y’all opinions ain’t matter then and they don’t matter now 🤣. They did a good job. They did wtf he was known for and most likely would’ve wanted. Y’all the weird ones. #goonew
— BEEN.HER (@PrettyEbb) April 4, 2022
If Goonew family okay with having his body out there like that I don’t feel like it’s anybody who isn’t his family’s place to speak ill of how they remember him
— Jason (@GED_Jacee) April 4, 2022
What are your thoughts, and do you think it was really Goonew’s embalmed body?