The Unsolved Murder of Yolanda "LaLa" Brown

Yolanda Rose “LaLa” Brown was an American R&B singer. She is most well known for her featured vocals on a track titled “S.E.X” with Lyfe Jennings. The song went as high as number 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and topped out at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2006.

LaLa, along with her record producer & boyfriend JeTannue “Kool Aid” Clayborn were murdered on October 19, 2007, at a Milwaukee, Wisconsin recording studio. Over 14 years later, their murder remains unsolved.

LaLa was born on May 20, 1986, in Milwaukee. She was the youngest of five children born to Maria, a descendant of immigrants, and William, an African American father. Her parents always knew she possessed incredible talent “from her first steps, always singing and dancing around the house.” So, it came as no major surprise to them when she pursued a music career at the early age of eleven. Using the stage name, “Pre-mere” she began performing at weddings and later, various bars, as a singer.

Her earlier days were marked by an ordinary education at Frederick Douglass Elementary School, followed by Jackie Robinson Middle School and finally, Milwaukee High School of the Arts. At the early age of sixteen, LaLa became a mother, giving birth to a daughter she named Amirah Airreal Brown.

In the fall of 2005, Brown took a chance on furthering her career with a trip to Atlanta, Georgia. She believed she would have a better chance to meet artists, producers, and songwriters there who might provide her with more training and opportunities. She finally got the opening she was looking for when R&B singer-songwriter, Lyfe Jennings asked her to be on his new track called “S.E.X.” The track was a cautionary tale that warned young women about the pitfalls and dangers of unprotected sex. It appeared on his second studio album called “The Phoenix.”

LaLa began touring with Jennings but was later released from her contract after a disagreement with him. In June 2007, LaLa returned to Milwaukee, more determined than ever to pursue becoming a solo artist. It was here that she began working on her debut album. She had recorded three songs, “I’m Feeling It,” “Rescue Me,” and “Give Them What They Want.” The last song is believed by many to be of an autobiographical nature. The songs were all released prior to her death.

On October 19, 2007, LaLa and JeTannue “Kool Aid” Clayborn, her record producer/boyfriend were shot and killed in their Loud Enuff Productionz recording studio in Milwaukee. It was initially intended to be just a studio, but they had eventually moved into it, using every available moment to record music. Before the murder, there had been a burglary in which the culprit had made off with about $10,000 in recording equipment, but it is unknown if the crimes are related.

The murder of the young couple was at close range. By all indications, the murderer was someone they knew at least well enough to let them in, as there is no evidence of forced entry. In the days before the murder, LaLa is said to have been receiving threats and looking to move into her own place to separate herself somewhat from the business side of things. Unfortunately, she would never get the chance to do so.

On the night of the murder, the couple had eaten dinner with LaLa’s family and been dropped off back at the studio. In the following days, family members grew concerned as they attempted to get in touch and were unable to do so. Visits to the studio led them to note that the lights were on but no one was answering the door. When the manager of the building was asked to let them in, they were told he could not without a warrant to do so.

Thus, missing persons reports were filed to get the ball rolling on getting into the studio. When things took too long, a family member grew impatient and kicked open the door to gain entry. What they found on the other sight was grisly. The couple had been dead for three days before their bodies were discovered. Autopsies were performed on both victims, but the results have never been released. LaLa is survived by her mother, father, siblings, and her daughter.

LaLa was laid to rest on October 25, 2007, at the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ in Milwaukee. The funeral was attended by hundreds of people from her family, friends, and fans, including her former collaborator, Lyfe Jennings. She is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee.

Though her case was featured on America’s Most Wanted in February 2010 and on Celebrity Crime Files in October 2012, no progress was made in her case. Since then, the case has mostly languished in the media but remains an open unsolved case, with police still in search of a suspect and motive for the crime.

In 2017, LaLa’s father says he was told the detectives in his daughter’s case had put together a solid case against someone who was already incarcerated for another crime. Milwaukee Police Department seemed to have confirmed this in an email that said they had completed their investigation and sent it to the District Attorney for a charging decision, but the DA seemed to walk this back, stating that he was working with them and that the case was still open and active.

In the time that has passed since then, there has been no further mention of a suspect or charges being filed. As far as is known, no charges are pending or have been made in this case and it remains unsolved.

We can only hope this case eventually gets solved and justice is served for both victims.