Ever heard of a guy who held a funeral for himself just to see who would show up? That’s not a movie plot. It’s actually a real chapter in the life of Ronnie Bo, a Milwaukee-based artist and author whose name has been swirling around the internet for some pretty wild reasons.
If you’re trying to figure out who is Ronnie Bo, you’ve likely stumbled upon some confusing threads. Is he a rapper? An activist? A guy caught up in a Jay-Z conspiracy? Honestly, he’s a bit of all three, mixed with a heavy dose of "street philosopher."
Born Ronnie Martin, he didn't exactly have an easy path to the spotlight. Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was deep in the streets long before he was in a recording booth. In fact, for a while, he was known as a national spokesman for the Gangster Disciples. That’s a heavy title to carry. But these days, he’s spent a lot of energy trying to pivot away from that life, using music and books to talk about the "trap" instead of living in it.
The Death Hoax That Actually Happened
One of the weirdest things you’ll find when looking into Ronnie Bo is the 2021 incident where he faked his own death. Yeah, he really did that. He even went so far as to have a whole wake with an open casket.
Why?
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He later explained on podcasts like Mixtape Trappers Radio that he wanted to see who was "real" and who was just there for the clout. It was a social experiment that went viral for all the wrong reasons. Some people thought it was genius; others thought it was incredibly disrespectful to his family and fans. But that’s Ronnie Bo in a nutshell—he does things that make people talk, even if it gets him "cancelled" for a week.
Music, Prison, and R. Kelly
Ronnie Bo’s music career isn't just about catchy beats. It’s deeply tied to his time behind bars. While serving time for drug-related charges, he actually ended up in the same federal facility as R. Kelly.
Now, this is where things get controversial.
Instead of distancing himself, Ronnie Bo released a song called "Free R. Kelly." He claimed that based on his personal interactions with the singer in prison, he felt Kelly was being treated unfairly by the system. You can imagine how well that went over with the general public. He’s also done interviews with RealLyfe Street Starz and The Lionel B Show, where he’s made some pretty bold claims about Jay-Z and Jaguar Wright. He’s basically become a fixture in the "conspiracy" side of hip-hop YouTube.
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More Than Just a Rapper
If you look past the headlines, Ronnie Bo has actually written several books. He calls himself an author of "urban literature." Here are a few titles he’s put out:
- The Trap: A look at the hustling lifestyle from someone who lived it.
- The Holy Trap Scriptures: His take on spiritual empowerment for people in the hood.
- Value of the Vagina: A book aimed at women’s empowerment, though the title definitely aims for shock value.
He’s clearly trying to build a brand that’s bigger than just being another rapper from the Midwest. He calls himself a "modern-day Moses" of urban culture. Whether you buy into that or not, he’s managed to stay relevant through sheer force of personality and some very loud opinions.
What’s He Doing Now?
As of early 2026, Ronnie Bo is still active in the Milwaukee scene. He recently dropped a video for "Digital Social Hour" (shot by RayShotIt), which is a bit more reflective than his older stuff. In the song, he talks about being "down bad" and having to work his way back from nothing.
He’s also doubled down on his claims that he was targeted or "blacklisted" because of the things he’s said about major industry players. He often talks about how his social media accounts get restricted whenever he starts talking about "the truth." It’s a narrative his fans love—the lone wolf fighting against the machine.
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How to Follow the Journey
If you want to keep up with what he’s doing, you usually have to look for him on alternative platforms. Because of his controversial takes, he’s often hopping between new Instagram handles or posting on YouTube channels like The Music Recording Network.
If you're looking for his discography, you can find projects like Grind Now Shine Later on most streaming platforms, though some of his older "street" tapes are harder to find.
To understand Ronnie Bo, you have to look at him as a storyteller who isn't afraid of the "villain" edit. Whether he’s talking about prison reform, street politics, or his latest beef, he’s going to make sure he’s the loudest person in the room.
If you’re interested in the darker, more conspiratorial side of hip-hop culture, watching his interviews on RealLyfe Productions is a good place to start. Just be prepared to fall down a very deep rabbit hole.