R.I.P. Video #80: Dre Tree Z

Recorded May 20, 2021

Broadcasting from Ricketts Glen, here in Benton, PA, it's ya boy, FrankieThaLuckyDog here, sadly reportin' anotha tragic loss in tha Louisiana rap community.

Rondra Javal Bell, known by his stage name, Dre Tree Z, passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021, from congestive heart failure; he was only 43 years-old.

Bell was born on September 26, 1977, in Pineville, LA. Bell was tha cousin of Morganza, LA-based rapper, P.I.R. & tha brother of Simmesport, LA-based graphic designer, Big Roy. Bell would cook but would be more known in tha world of media as tha producer for Legal Dope Records; Bell was behind P.I.R.'s greatest underground contributions of tha early 2010's. In 2011, P.I.R. released his single, "Who I Are", which was produced by Dre Tree Z. "Who I Are" was featured on legendary promoter, FrankieThaLuckyDog's "Tha Louisiana Pit" radio show, airing on September 17, 2011. "Who I Are" was also featured on Frankie's Tha Louisiana Archives, Vol. 8: Cold On Tha Mic mixtape, released on December 22, 2011. "Who I Are" received two nominations on Frankie's 4th Annual Louisiana Awards of 2011, for Louisiana Song Of Tha Year & Louisiana Hook Of Tha Year. Bell also produced anotha two-tyme nominated track by P.I.R., "Dirty Game We Play"; "Dirty Game We Play" was nominated for Louisiana Song Of Tha Year & Louisiana Street Anthem Of Tha Year on Frankie's 5th Annual Louisiana Awards of 2012. Bell continued to produce more tracks for P.I.R. & in 2014, P.I.R. released his debut, Who I Are (Da Mixtape), courtesy of Legal Dope Records. Due to Dre Tree Z & P.I.R.'s collaboration hype, on April 19 & 20, 2015, FrankieThaLuckyDog reviewed tha release live in both tha Harlem Valley & Kings Park psychiatric centers. On December 18, 2017, Who I Are (Da Mixtape) ranked #18 on FrankieThaLuckyDog's "FTLD'z Top 20 Louisiana CDs During His Connection" video countdown, solidifyin' its quality, 225-but-not-exactly-from-Baton-Rouge's-225 street vibe. As tyme was movin' into tha 2020's, Bell's heart was not working 100% of tha tyme. Durin' November 2020, Bell suffered a near-fatal heart attack but was saved by brother, BJ. Doctors then hit tha Bell family with tha news that Bell had approximately six months left to live. Fearing to spread an eerie feeling of anxiety, Bell kept his conditions a secret. Then, on May 17, 2021, Bell fatally suffered from congestive heart failure. Despite callin' 911, Bell was already pronounced dead when tha paramedics arrived at tha scene. Had Bell lived to see September 26th this year, he woulda celebrated his 44th birthday.


Music:

P.I.R. Who I Are (Da Mixtape) (2014)
01. "Filthy South"
02. "Who I Are"
03. "Dirty Game We Play"
04. "Playing That Role" feat. Chainsaw & Gullie Beezy
05. "Nigga Shit Stank"
06. "225" feat. Blade & Chainsaw
07. "Don't Wanna Get Nothing Started" feat. Blade
08. "Filthy South (Screwed Version)"
09. "Dropped A Dime" feat. Big Joe
10. "I'm On It (Pt. 2)" feat. Chainsaw
11. "Stop Playing With Me" feat. Young Carter
12. "I'm A Pit" (Rizzo Ray feat. Gator & P.I.R.)
13. "Right-Hand Man" feat. Dr. Martin Luther King


R.I.P. Rondra "Dre Tree Z" Bell
9.26.1977 - 5.17.2021