by Brandon Montrell, better known as the comedian Boogie B., died tragically Friday in a shooting outside of a New Orleans supermarket. Montrell was 43.
Montrell was home for the holidays and not the intended victim in the shooting, according to New Orleans police.
Anyone with information or can locate these individuals is urged to contact NOPD’s Homicide Section at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll free at 1-877-903-7867.
From his website’s bio:
Boogie B was born Brandon Montrell in New Orleans, LA. He was destined to be an entertainer. From his early years he was known for his infectious charm and knack for crowd pleasing through his dancing and rapping abilities, hence the name “Boogie B”!
After encouragement, due to his ability to leave them in tears from over the years from friends and family to pursue a career as a comedian his side splitting charm, Boogie B finally decided to pursue comedy professionally. His influences comes from iconic figures such as Richard Pryor, Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, and Rudy Ray Moore taking from the creativity of Dolomite, Raw, You So Crazy, and Mud Bone.
After Hurricane Katrina displaced Boogie B to Washington DC, Boogie B became a highly sought after, up and coming comedian in D.C., New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia metro areas. Boogie B has now moved to his current home in Los Angeles, California to take over the West Coast comedy scene.
Montrell performed in the 2006 special, Master P. Presents the Hood Stars of Comedy, Vol. 1. He also acted in a new sitcom, Nick’s House, which was being pitched to various children’s TV networks this fall.
Here he was on Howie Mandel’s prank show, Deal With It, which aired on TBS, taking instructions from the late great Joan Rivers.
Boogie B also performed on the late-night FOX syndicated series, Laughs.
Boogie B was a regular on The Laugh Factory’s Chocolate Sundaes lineup, and recently released a short stand-up special through “Funny Media Group.”
His Instagram page was promoting his “Comedy Bad Boys” special (with Trey Elliott, filmed at Ha Ha Comedy Club in North Hollywood), available to rent for $1.99 on Amazon Prime, as well as a 2012 film he appeared in alongside Tiffany Haddish and the late great John Witherspoon called Boosters LA.
And Montrell had just posted the latest video in his New Orleans Hood History series, about Black Santa Fred C. Parker, before he left to get groceries at the Rouses where he was shot and killed.
“My son was not just the victim of a stray bullet,” said his mother, Sherilyn Price. “He’s the victim of decades of neglect that have left New Orleans’ youth with no hope for a future and with no real fear of consequences. It’s past time for leaders in our city and all over to do their jobs. It matters who the president is, who the governor is, and who the mayor is. Leaders create opportunities – including the opportunity to live in peace without fear of random violence.”
Boogie B’s murder is senseless and tragic, and our hearts go out to his friends and family this Christmas. May he rest in peace.
