LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Many people woke up Friday morning to devastating news regarding the death of Carl Yelder, also known as DJ Lil Carl.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Since Yelder\u2019s passing, there has been an outpouring of tributes regarding his impact on the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe could walk into any room and change the energy of the entire room,\u201d said entertainment professional Juan \u201cJuan Hustle\u201d Lambert. \u201cIt didn\u2019t matter if it was Club Cedar, Joe\u2019s Palm Room; it didn\u2019t matter, it didn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s why so many say they were shaken up by his death.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still shocked; it\u2019s just still shocking that he\u2019s gone,\u201d said Sunday Miller.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had dance competitions and the parties. You know he DJ\u2019d weddings, clubs, he DJ\u2019d everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yelder passed along his gifts and influenced and taught others like Juan Hustle.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarl is one of those first people who welcome me to the community with open arms,\u201d Hustle said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t make me feel like an outsider; he made me feel like I belonged in this community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yelder\u2019s popularity grew in the early 2000s. He threw parties for youth 18-years-old and younger that still resonate within the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had parties at Louisville Gardens, we had parties at Spalding. We had parties everywhere,\u201d Miller said. \u201cDays Inn is where it started at, Days Inn in 2003.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did get in trouble,\u201d Linsey Buckner said. \u201cHe said y\u2019all are my little sisters, but y\u2019all 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yelder\u2019s loved ones and his supporters will carry on the memories of where it all started and the legacy he leaves behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a friend, a brother, a son, and most importantly a Louisville Legend,\u201d Miller said. \u201cYears and years to come, you\u2019re going to hear about DJ Lil Carl and how special he was to Louisville.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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