LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Many people woke up Friday morning to devastating news regarding the death of Carl Yelder, also known as DJ Lil Carl.
Yelder died Thursday night at 46-years-old. Louisville Metro police officers were called for a welfare check on South 4th Street, where officers said he died by apparent suicide.
Since Yelder’s passing, there has been an outpouring of tributes regarding his impact on the community.
“He could walk into any room and change the energy of the entire room,” said entertainment professional Juan “Juan Hustle” Lambert. “It didn’t matter if it was Club Cedar, Joe’s Palm Room; it didn’t matter, it didn’t matter.”
Friends and family members said he was the life of the party. Yelder did a lot in the community as an entertainer, community organizer, and mentor. It’s why so many say they were shaken up by his death.
“I’m still shocked; it’s just still shocking that he’s gone,” said Sunday Miller.
“We had dance competitions and the parties. You know he DJ’d weddings, clubs, he DJ’d everything.”
Yelder passed along his gifts and influenced and taught others like Juan Hustle.
“Carl is one of those first people who welcome me to the community with open arms,” Hustle said. “He didn’t make me feel like an outsider; he made me feel like I belonged in this community.”
Yelder’s popularity grew in the early 2000s. He threw parties for youth 18-years-old and younger that still resonate within the community.
“We had parties at Louisville Gardens, we had parties at Spalding. We had parties everywhere,” Miller said. “Days Inn is where it started at, Days Inn in 2003.”
Family and friends said Yelder did a lot for the community he loved. He participated in back-to-school events and brought youth under his wing.
“We did get in trouble,” Linsey Buckner said. “He said y’all are my little sisters, but y’all are also like my kids. He got us anything we needed, from clothes to shoes. He showed us how to do fundraisers to raise the type of funds. He took us to different parts of the city and showed us that type of culture and was like I want to introduce you guys and show your talent.”
Yelder’s loved ones and his supporters will carry on the memories of where it all started and the legacy he leaves behind.
“He was a friend, a brother, a son, and most importantly a Louisville Legend,” Miller said. “Years and years to come, you’re going to hear about DJ Lil Carl and how special he was to Louisville.”
Yelder was set to host a back-to-school event before his death. The event is set for Saturday, July 25 from 1-5 p.m. at Portal Louisville. The event will include food, bounce houses and live entertainment.
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