Like almost any young father, Ramir Parrish was scared before his son Hakeem was born, but it came easy to him. As he grew, they would play video games with Ramir’s brother, Syncere, who was the same age.
Also known by his rap name ChuckyPnb, he also was teaching the boys how to rap like him, and had his own dreams of making it big as a rap artist. He got his name out by street battling and posting videos of his talents on a consistent basis, hoping to be the next big thing out of Philadelphia, just like his hero Rakim Allen, also known as PnB Rock.
“Ramir was the protector of the family,” said his mother, Angela Parrish, “and when he smiled it brightened up my day.” Another son of Angela’s, Markeish Amir Johnson, was killed in 2016 in Philadelphia.
Now 7, Hakeem is angry he doesn’t see his father anymore, Angela says. So is Syncere.
On December 23, 2022, Ramir was shot multiple times and died at Albert Einstein Medical Center. Ramir, 21, had gone to his job at Big G’s Laundromat in the 100 block of Chelten Avenue and called his mother that afternoon to tell her they were having a party. Minutes later she got the call from her twin sister that Ramir had been shot in the rear parking lot of the laundromat.
He was expecting his second child in April 2023 with his girlfriend, Tiana Gibson. “He was really excited,” Angela recalls. “They all decided on the perfect name for the baby girl. Her name will be, Lyric Dream Parrish, who will grace the earth with her presence.”
Ramir’s sister, Imani Royal, 17, said the thought of him no longer being here is often unbearable. “I often break inside but remain strong for my mom. It’s hard I wake up every day expecting to see him or hear his voice and I get nothing.”
She misses the jokes he would play on them, the laughter, and him trying to be the protector of the home. Imani misses her confidant and all of their long conversations. “This pain is real,” she said.
Ramir grew up in Germantown on Bayton Street. He was known throughout the neighborhood for making sure the elderly residents were okay by assisting them with their grocery bags, taking them to the store, or going to the market for them. The youth of the neighborhood would hold long conversations with him about life and what they needed. Ramir would take them to the store to buy them sneakers and clothes.
Ramir’s peers would rally around him, especially when he would rap his lyrics he wrote as well as when he would freestyle. When PnB Rock would come back to town from California, Ramir would be around him receiving tips of how to get into the industry. PnB Rock was killed last year in California.
Angela described Ramir as a “troubled child,” in and out of placement and who later went to prison. But he was finally on the right track. Ramir took the time in prison to get his high school diploma. He also learned several trades, and landed several jobs painting for family and friends. He also did odd jobs to supplement his income.
As he used to say, “No matter what mistakes you make in life, move on from them. Treat people the way you want to be treated.”
At this time no arrests have been made.
A reward of up to $20,000 is available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for this murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
Resources are available for people and communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Click here for more information.
Leave a Reply