LAST BABY STANDING: SET IT OFF AND THE FALL OF THE BIG 3

LAST BABY STANDING: SET IT OFF AND THE FALL OF THE BIG 3

Durham, North Carolina produced a rap movement that had the city watching and the industry paying attention. 83 Babies — Lil Tony, Set It Off, and Young Boss Tevo — went from local buzz to catching the attention of Rich the Kid and Rich Forever Music, with records like “No Cap” helping push their name beyond the Bull City.

But behind the music came a much darker story.

Last Baby Standing follows the rise, collapse, and aftermath of one of Durham’s most talked-about rap trios. The book examines how the group came together, their industry opportunity, the life-changing federal case involving Lil Tony, the death of Young Boss Tevo, and how Set It Off became the remaining active member carrying the weight of the 83 Babies legacy.

Then the story changed again.

After Set It Off was reported shot in Durham in 2026, he survived and eventually returned to making music — adding an entirely new chapter to a story that already seemed finished. His comeback and the release of Last Man Standing turned the narrative from simply a rise-and-fall story into one about survival, consequences, second chances, and what happens when one person is left to rebuild after everything around him changes.

Inside this book:

• The Durham origins of 83 Babies

• Lil Tony, Set It Off & Young Boss Tevo

• The breakout of “No Cap”

• Rich the Kid and Rich Forever Music

• The federal case that changed Lil Tony’s future

• The death of Young Boss Tevo

• Set It Off becoming the last active member

• The 2026 shooting and his survival

• His return to music after being shot

• The release of Last Man Standing

• The lessons Durham artists can learn from the rise and fall of the group

• A deeper look at fame, street pressure, loyalty, survival, ownership, and longevity

This isn’t just a music story.

It’s a Durham story about talent meeting opportunity — and what can happen when real life hits harder than the industry ever could.

For readers who love urban music history, hip-hop culture, Durham stories, street documentaries, and real-life rise-and-fall stories, Last Baby Standing gives a deeper look at a movement that helped put another spotlight on Bull City rap.

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