Troy and King Von: The Bond That Shaped Drill Rap

In the narrative of Chicago drill music, few connections are as deeply rooted or frequently referenced as the brotherhood between troy and king von. Long before King Von (Dayvon Bennett) became a mainstream rap powerhouse under Lil Durk’s Only the Family (OTF) imprint, he was navigating the perilous streets of Chicago's South Side alongside his closest companion, James Johnson, universally known as "T.Roy."

T.Roy was not merely an associate in Von's circle; he was the emotional center of Von's worldview. Their bond was forged through childhood survival, intense street loyalties, and shared time in Chicago’s notorious Parkway Gardens housing complex, better known globally as "O'Block." Understanding King Von's meteoric musical ascent and intense lyricism requires an understanding of the man who inspired so many of his words: T.Roy.

Who Was T.Roy (James Johnson)?

James "T.Roy" Johnson was born on October 17, 1993. Standing at roughly five feet tall, what T.Roy lacked in physical stature he famously made up for in fearlessness and loyalty. Within O'Block and the broader Black Disciples faction on 64th and King Drive, Johnson earned a formidable reputation as a frontline figure.

To outsiders, T.Roy was an enigma who rarely appeared in early drill music videos beyond quiet cameos in Chief Keef's early rise. To insiders, he was viewed as a protector, a strategist, and an anchor for younger neighborhood residents. His smaller size earned him the moniker "Boss Top's little brother" and later simply "T.Roy," but his street credibility was unquestioned across rival and allied territories alike.

The Bond Between Troy and King Von

The friendship between troy and king von went far beyond typical neighborhood alliances. Peers and close friends described their dynamic as genuinely fraternal. While King Von was known for his charisma and imposing presence, T.Roy operated with a calculated intensity that balanced Von's personality.

Throughout the early 2010s, as Chicago's drill subculture exploded into the global music consciousness via Chief Keef, Lil Reese, and Fredo Santana, Von and Troy remained primarily rooted in street operations. Both men faced recurring legal battles, spending alternating periods behind bars. Despite the turbulence, their connection never fractured:

• Shared Loyalty: Friends noted that wherever one went, the other was never far behind. They shared resources, defense, and unwavering mutual respect.
• The "V.Roy" Name: In honor of their bond, King Von adopted the moniker "V.Roy" after Troy's passing, linking his identity permanently with his fallen friend.
• Street Protection: In songs and documented interviews, Von regularly recalled that Troy was the first person to step into conflict on his behalf, long before music was an option.

The Death of T.Roy: A Turning Point in Chicago

On February 14, 2017, the dynamic between O'Block and rival South Side factions reached a devastating tipping point. T.Roy was inside a clothing and corner store in the Chatham neighborhood near 71st and State Street when he was confronted and fatally shot in the chest by Terry Barry, known on the streets as "TB" from the rival Tyquan World faction.

Johnson was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at the age of 23. His murder sent seismic shockwaves through Chicago's hip-hop and street community. The news traveled rapidly through city correctional facilities, reaching King Von, who was incarcerated in Cook County Jail fighting charges that could have carried life in prison.

For Von, hearing that his best friend had been killed while he was locked away in a cell was devastating. Friends recalled that Von was inconsolable. The loss stripped away his sense of safety and hardened his resolve, serving as the psychological catalyst for the raw, unforgiving art he would create once released.

How T.Roy Influenced King Von's Music and Lyrics

When King Von was acquitted of his charges and released from Cook County Jail in late 2017, Lil Durk took him to Atlanta to keep him away from Chicago's violent crossfire. Von entered the recording studio for the first time with no prior musical experience, using his experiences with T.Roy as both fuel and subject matter.

In almost every major project Von released—from Grandson, Vol. 1 to Welcome to O'Block—T.Roy’s name appeared prominently. Von's breakout 2018 hit, "Crazy Story," kicked off a run of vivid storytelling where T.Roy served as both a muse and a symbol of what was lost.

Notable Lyrical Tributes

• "Armed & Dangerous": Von directly details his relationship and loyalty to Troy, famously rapping about the pain of losing him and the impulse for retaliation.
• "Took Her to the O": Even in mainstream party and storytelling anthems, Von shouts out "T.Roy" as an essential piece of Parkway Gardens lore.
• "Crazy Story (Part 3)": Von frequently refers to himself as "V.Roy," merging his own artist persona with Troy's memory to ensure Johnson's name would be spoken in international venues.

Beyond lyrics, Von immortalized T.Roy through diamond-encrusted jewelry, wearing customized chains bearing Johnson's image and name. Troy became immortalized in hip-hop mythology not because he ever recorded a hit song, but because one of rap's most talented storytellers refused to let the world forget him.

The Cycle of Drill Culture and King Von's Passing

The tragedy of the troy and king von story is how closely it reflects the broader systemic violence that has claimed dozens of drill artists over the past decade. Just three years after Troy's death, on November 6, 2020, King Von was shot and killed outside an Atlanta lounge at the age of 26.

Von's death mirrored the premature end of so many young men from his neighborhood, including T.Roy, Sheroid, and J-Money. Fans and culture critics often remark that despite reaching fame, wealth, and international acclaim, Von never fully moved past the trauma of losing Troy and his neighborhood peers.

The Lasting Legacy of T.Roy and King Von

Today, the names Troy and King Von are permanently intertwined in the annals of modern hip-hop. Their relationship illustrates both the deep humanity and the profound heartbreak embedded within the Chicago drill movement.

While outsiders often look at drill rap through the lens of controversy and aggression, the bond between Von and T.Roy serves as a reminder of the genuine brotherhood that binds these communities together. Von's music gave T.Roy a legacy that stretches far beyond Chicago's South Side, preserving their friendship in the history of American rap music forever.