By D.M. LIVINGSTON The Waterbury Times
September 3, 2025

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In December of 2008, I met a rapper named Rob Cobain—government name Robert Brown III—and my life changed. I was from up north; he had that southern charm and down-south vibe. From the moment we linked, it was like energy met purpose. We clicked immediately. His calm, creative spirit balanced my fire, and our shared love of real hip-hop built a bond that only grew deeper with time.

Together, we performed shows, made music, and started working on a collaborative project we called Asteroid M. It was more than an album—it was a blueprint for something special. But in 2009, life took a turn. I was incarcerated, and what we started had to be paused.

Over the next 10 years, Rob never stopped creating. He moved with purpose, performing and recording across Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, and more. While much of hip-hop veered toward guns, drugs, and street violence, Rob stayed true to something purer—something lighter. His energy was carefree, but his music was intentional. It was Hip-Hop in its essence: love, joy, pain, truth, and art.

That’s why his death still doesn’t feel real.

On December 3, 2024, Robert Brown III was murdered in North Charleston, SC. It was sudden. Senseless. He was just 40 years old. Months before, he had released what would become his final album, The Heartbreak Kid. The title now feels haunting. But at the time, it was meant to close a chapter—one last solo mission before we finally picked up where we left off.

We had been planning that for years. In fact, I was about to move on from The Waterbury Times to relocate to South Carolina and start creating full-time again. But something told me to stay in Waterbury just a little longer. That’s when Rob said words that still echo in my soul:

“Your city needs you.”

That’s why we still exist. That’s why The Waterbury Times remains. Because Rob saw something in me, something in my city, and he believed in both.

He wasn’t just a rapper. He was a light in this world. A creative force who made people laugh, think, and feel. He was my friend. And today, on his birthday, I remember him with gratitude, pain, and pride.

Rob, we were supposed to finish what we started. But I promise you this: I’m still going to finish it. I carry your words, your energy, and your legacy with me every single day. Through every article, every verse, every person I help uplift—your spirit lives on.

Happy Birthday, Rob Cobain. You are missed. You are loved. And you will never be forgotten.

Current Status

• No arrests or suspect(s) have been identified or publicly named.
• No motive has been disclosed by investigators.
• The investigation remains open, and the case is considered unsolved as of early 2025.

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What You Can Do

If you have any information—no matter how small or seemingly unrelated—that could help investigators, you are encouraged to reach out:

• Phone: Call the North Charleston Police Tip Line at 843‑607‑2076.
• Email: ncpdcrimetip@northcharleston.org.

You can remain anonymous and detectives are flexible about meeting arrangements to ensure privacy if needed

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