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Miami Herald
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
These are the most popular cars in music
These are the most popular cars in music Cars and music are woven into the fabric of American culture. Artists have sung about cars and the open road since the early 1900s, and, regardless of genre, cars - and trucks - still serve as musical metaphors for freedom, ambition, and self-expression. But we wanted to know: Which cars get the most love in songs? Edmunds analyzed song lyrics from more than 1 million songs from the last 10 years, across multiple genres, to learn which makes, models and body styles find their way into contemporary music. Not surprisingly, the favorites that emerged blend elements of high-performance, status, luxury, and rock-solid dependability. Posh, power and muscle prized across genres You might not expect a hyperluxury car like the Rolls-Royce Phantom to dominate musical mentions, but it appears in 163 songs, followed closely by the Rolls-Royce Wraith with 134 musical cameos. It makes sense in the context of modern hip-hop and R&B, which often use ultra-luxury cars as symbols of accomplishment and wealth. But performance classics get nods, too, including the Porsche 911 (71 mentions), the Dodge Charger and Challenger, and the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro. Kendrick Lamar, arguably today's most high-profile hip-hop artist, even named his most recent landmark album after the high-performance Buick GNX (or "Grand National Experiment") from the mid-1980s. The classic Chevrolet Impala, meanwhile, is a staple of lowrider culture and features prominently in hip-hop lyrics of the last three decades. Even luxury SUVs maintain a steady lyrical presence, with the Range Rover making 48 appearances, reflecting its cultural significance across different genres. Notable and niche name-drops Drilling deeper into the lyric sheets reveals even more unique shoutouts, such as the Bentley Mulsanne (20 mentions), which was discontinued in 2020; the Audi TT (19 mentions); and the Dodge Viper (15 mentions). The Cadillac Escalade gets 18 mentions, which isn't a big surprise given that the luxury SUV's sharp, boxy lines and classic American status have made it a staple in hip-hop and pop music videos. Even eco-friendly options like the Toyota Prius (17 mentions) and Nissan Leaf (12 mentions) get some recognition, while decidedly less eco-friendly vintage models like the Chevrolet Bel Air (10 mentions) and Dodge Challenger (12 mentions) echo a timeless love for Detroit classics. What drives different genres Hip-hop is rife with car references, more than any other modern genre. That's no surprise, as, like in rock music decades before it, cars represent success, status and self-expression in the stories of its songs. The influence goes beyond just name-dropping, though. In a song like Ludacris' "Roll Out (My Business)," his Mercedes becomes part of the story. Benzes, Bentleys, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis all assume character roles in many modern hip-hop lyrics, as rappers boast of the wealth they've amassed in order to afford them. Decades before, pop and rock artists used cars as symbols of freedom, rebellion, and romance in chart-topping hits and underground anthems. The Beach Boys rightfully get credit for mythologizing the early 1960s Southern California lifestyle in songs about surfing and driving, proclaiming their love for Ford hot rods ("Little Deuce Coupe") and Chevy V8 engines ("409"). They weren't the only ones though, as a cottage industry of artists, records and songs about cars sprung up in the 1960s and 1970s, including rockabilly artists like Vince Taylor, whose "Brand New Cadillac" became a popular deep track when covered by The Clash, and Commander Cody's "Hot Rod Lincoln." Cars were even central to the birth of rock music. "Rocket 88," by singer Jackie Brenston and future soul superstar Ike Turner, was released in early 1951. It's widely considered one of the first "rock" recordings for its vigorous shuffling beat, lively guitar and horn parts, and song structure that became a template for rock songs for the next two decades. Naturally, the song was about a car, in this case the Oldsmobile Rocket 88 that had been introduced only a couple of years earlier. Finally, one of the most famous songs of the 1980s was a lyrically loaded ode to love and romance wrapped in the metaphor of America's premier sports car. Prince's "Little Red Corvette" cracked the Top 10 singles chart in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. In America, it reached No. 6 in 1983. In 2016, following Prince's death, it reached No. 4. The single has sold nearly 1 million copies to date. Trucks and tradition Hip-hop and rock artists love their luxury cars, sports cars, and hot rods, but country artists tend to prefer trucks as their mobile muses. Pickups are the original utility vehicles, combining strength, capability and dependability - themes that are also rich for material in country music lyrics. The data shows a wide variety of truck mentions popping up across music genres, such as classic pickups and luxury SUVs often called "trucks" in song lyrics. The Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado get plenty of shoutouts, showing their iconic status in American culture, especially in country and rock music. Even SUVs get an occasional nod. The Chevrolet Tahoe is the seventh-most mentioned song in the dataset, merging the widely recognized truck brand with its popular SUV model. Recent truck sales data reveals how popular trucks compare in the real world to their musical mentions. According to the latest data, the Ford F-Series dominates U.S. vehicle sales with 765,649 units sold in 2024, maintaining its place as America's best-selling truck. The Chevrolet Silverado follows closely, both results mirroring their prevalence in song lyrics. The relative absence of lyrics for Ram pickups, on the other hand, suggests Ram's marketing team has some work to do. From motors to monikers Automotive influence in music extends beyond lyrics. Throughout music history, artists and bands have drawn inspiration from the automotive world for their stage names. From 1950s vocal groups like the Cadillacs and the El Dorados, to the Cadillac Tramps (1990s Orange County rockabilly punkers) and hair-metal guitarist C.C. DeVille, GM's luxury division has inspired more than a few band and artist names. Other GM badges have had similar influence, christening groups such as the Chevelles (Australia) and Chevelle (American), 1960s girl group the GTOs, and 1950s doo-wop group the Impalas. Texas blues legends the Fabulous Thunderbirds looked to Ford for inspiration, while another group of Texans, hard-rockers Pantera, cribbed their name from Italian car-cult favorite De Tomaso. Chicago soft-rockers REO Speedwagon took their name from a 1915 truck produced by Ransom Eli Olds' REO Motor Car Company, and went on to score several radio hits in the 1970s. New wave pioneers The Cars, meanwhile, embraced automotive branding in the most obviously direct way possible. Of course, cars are often named after existing objects and places, making the connection between car and band name sometimes tenuous. Did every 1960s garage surf band that landed on "The Mustangs" do it in tribute to the car or horse? Whatever the source, there's no denying the influence of automotive sheet metal on the musical world. Driving the beat Cars have always played a role in how musicians share their stories. Whether it's a country star praising his trusty pickup, a rock legend in a roadster, or a pop artist flexing her luxury wheels, cars are powerful symbols in music. And while it may take time for a new generation of music to articulate the passion and romance of electric cars, as long as there are cars and open roads, they'll permeate the soundtracks of our lives. This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Politico
a day ago
- Politics
- Politico
Cuomo's analogue campaign
Presented by With help from Amira McKee Andrew Cuomo's campaign was built for the bygone cable TV era. Zohran Mamdani lapped him in a TikTok world. POLITICO reports today on the inside story of Cuomo's failed mayoral comeback bid, a campaign that fell flat with Democratic voters clamoring for someone who will address their affordability problems in a deeply expensive city. The former governor launched his bid with a 17-minute video, a sign he was paying little heed to decayed 21st century attention spans with a retro approach. And he relied on a tried-and-true strategy of raising a ton of cash, flooding the airwaves with ads and leaning into a storied political name. None of it worked against a generational talent like Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist with a scant resume who harnessed voters' abiding concerns over high rents. In contrast to the smiling Mamdani, Cuomo scowled his way through the five boroughs, often in a black Dodge Charger that enabled him to avoid traveling on the creaky mass transit system most New Yorkers use everyday. Cuomo focused on the past — like touting the renovation of LaGuardia Airport under his watch — in appearances that often felt like an aging rocker playing the hits on a farewell tour. 'This definitely felt like a 2025 fully optimized campaign versus a 1988 campaign,' Democratic strategist Trip Yang said. 'Cuomo looked like he was campaigning in black and white. Andrew Cuomo was never that formidable because this wasn't Andrew Cuomo in his prime.' Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi defended the campaign's approach and the support the ex-governor received. 'We are incredibly proud of the campaign we ran and the broad coalition that we built, including nearly every labor union, our elected endorsers, and everyday working class New Yorkers who supported our vision to get the city back on track,' he said. In the aftermath of his shattering loss, Cuomo's team began assessing and ascribing blame. Five people close to the campaign — granted anonymity to freely discuss what they believe went wrong — pointed to an anemic get-out-the-vote effort, even after data indicated Mamdani was surging with hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who voted early. Cuomo's field operation relied heavily on labor unions working alongside an allied super PAC. He had paid canvassers, a phone banking program and texting operation. But it was no match for Mamdani's motivated army of volunteers who fanned out across the city to knock on doors and persuade new voters. By the time the ex-governor's team began to discuss a get-out-the-vote operation, it was a month too late, according to one of the five with direct knowledge of the campaign. 'Our turnout model targeted key districts and constituencies and we met those turnout goals — and got more votes than Eric Adams did four years ago,' Azzopardi said. 'However, Mamdani ran a campaign that managed to expand the electorate in such a way that no turnout model or poll was able to capture, while the rest of the field collapsed. As the governor said, the city is in crisis and these are serious times — we'll be looking at the final numbers and weighing our options on next steps.' — Nick Reisman and Sally Goldenberg HAPPY FRIDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? In Albany and Franklin County appearing on North Country Public Radio and convening with local leaders impacted by federal policies. WHERE'S ERIC? Public schedule not available as of 10 p.m. Thursday. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'I vote in Albany.' — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, when asked on WNYC about endorsing Mamdani and whether she would support Adams or Cuomo instead. ABOVE THE FOLD PIVOT TO THE GENERAL: Mamdani's team knows he's got a fight ahead of him. His aides and allies are girding for a costly battle in November against opponents bankrolled by a fired-up business class desperate to stop him from taking over the epicenter of world finance. Mamdani's campaign, as well as outside groups backing him in New York's mayoral election, said they are preparing to drop millions to counter those efforts, while also tapping into an asymmetric strategy to capture voters' attention through social media and a door-knocking volunteer army. 'My gut is that we're going to have to raise a lot more than we did and we're going to have to spend a lot more than we did in the primary,' said Regina Monge, chair of a pro-Mamdani super PAC. 'Corporate special interests and billionaires might want to throw down for Eric Adams. They might want to support Cuomo on his line. I don't know what folks' plans are, but I want to make sure that we're ready.' Mamdani has more perceived vulnerabilities than recent Democratic mayoral nominees. So one of the biggest tasks in front of him is uniting the fractured party after a divisive primary. He and his team have been working the phones, talking to elected officials and community leaders in New York and around the country — including Jewish leaders who opposed him in the primary. John Samuelsen, leader of the Transport Workers Union International, believes Mamdani is on the path to winning over more supporters. He said his union of subway and bus drivers still has some concerns about Mamdani when it comes to policing the subways, but he expects even those that backed Cuomo in the primary will shift their support. 'I do think you're going to see the trade unions coalesce around him,' he said. 'They viewed Cuomo as the sure win, like the favorite at the Kentucky Derby,' he added. 'Zohran has got to be the overwhelming favorite to win. And there are pragmatic unions who will enter a political relationship with him now.' Read more from POLITICO's Holly Otterbein and Jeff Coltin on how Mamdani is prepping for the general — and how the opposition campaign is still forming. CITY HALL: THE LATEST DSA-PANSION: The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America keeps expanding, as its standard-bearer Mamdani, the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor, prepares for the general election. About 260 new members have joined since Primary Day on Tuesday, a chapter spokesperson told Playbook on Thursday. That's on top of the nearly 3,000 new members the chapter gained over the course of Mamdani's candidacy. The local DSA says it mobilized about 45,000 volunteers to door-knock for Mamdani this primary. — Emily Ngo POWER TO THE PEOPLE?: An evangelist for a massive publicly owned renewable energy build-out is poised to lead the nation's largest city — one that's heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Mamdani focused much of his campaign on affordability issues like providing free buses, freezing rents and creating city-run grocery stores. But he has a history of advocacy on climate issues as well, POLITICO Pro reports. 'I'm running for mayor to make the city more affordable and to take on the existential crisis of our time — climate change,' Mamdani said during a March candidate forum on climate. One of Mamdani's signature legislative priorities — although he wasn't the prime sponsor of the bill — was pushing for the New York Power Authority to build out new renewable energy generation. He's one of only two lawmakers who actively participated in Con Edison's last rate case and recently slammed the utility for seeking another bill hike. Mamdani also opposed a new gas plant in his district that was blocked by Gov. Kathy Hochul and sponsored an unsuccessful measure to ban new fossil fuel power plants. For climate advocates who backed him, the Queens assemblymember's victory is a refreshing antidote to the trend of Democrats de-prioritizing climate investments in favor of near-term affordability concerns. 'Our horizons have opened exponentially — and I'm really excited for the future for the first time, maybe, in my entire life,' said Daniel Goulden, the strategy co-chair of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America's Ecosocialists Working Group. — Marie J. French More from the city: — Negotiations on this year's city budget are coming down to the wire — with several sticking points remaining. (Daily News) — Cuomo's sexual harassment accusers called on state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to cut off the former governor's taxpayer-fueled legal defense fund. (New York Post) — Harlem's One45 development got key clearance from the City Council after years of setbacks (THE CITY) NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY MAMDANI'S NEW YORK: Sent first to POLITICO Pro subscribers, Mamdani's desire to hike taxes on the richest New Yorkers has a receptive audience in the state Legislature. Six Democratic state lawmakers, speaking with POLITICO Pro following Mamdani's upset victory, said they would be open to his tax hike platform. Their support is key in a statehouse where mayoral proposals often go to die. Any income tax hike impacting New York City residents must be given approval in Albany, where Democrats control both legislative chambers. 'This is a message from a candidate proposing policies that people want,' said state Sen. Gustavo Rivera. 'That's not radical, it's not crazy. One of them is making sure we can afford this, is making sure we tax the wealthy a little bit more.' Moderate lawmakers from outside the city, including Hudson Valley state Sen. James Skoufis, were open to a tax hike. 'I'm perfectly comfortable with modest, targeted increases on millionaire's personal income tax rates so long as some of the revenue is dedicated to relief for middle- and working-class New Yorkers,' he said. Support from state lawmakers for a tax hike on the wealthiest earners will add ballast to Mamdani's push if he becomes New York City mayor, offering a counterweight to Gov. Kathy Hochul's opposition, which she reiterated Thursday. The governor and Mamdani, though, have a mutual interest in driving down the cost of living. 'I have been finding ways to reduce the cost of living in New York,' she said, ticking off support for more child care, housing and education services. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — New York lawmakers say they are playing 'wac-a-mole' with so-called forever chemicals. (Times Union) — Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas is considering a run for state Sen. Jessica Ramos' seat. (City & State) — Hochul sidestepped political questions raised by Mamdani becoming the likely mayoral nominee. (Gothamist) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION DEFENDING MAMDANI: Mamdani faced an ugly call Thursday for his denaturalization and deportation from Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, who wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi and disparaged the presumptive mayoral nominee as 'little muhammad.' But among Mamdani's defenders was one of his greatest critics in New York's Democratic House delegation: Rep. Ritchie Torres. 'It is no secret that I have profound disagreements with Zohran Mamdani,' wrote the Bronx Democrat. 'But every Democrat — and every decent person — should speak out with moral clarity against the despicable Islamophobic attacks that have been directed at him.' Torres, who endorsed Cuomo, is one of Israel's fiercest defenders, while Mamdani is one of its harshest critics. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to Indian parents, is Muslim and a naturalized citizen. He faced a call for his deportation earlier in the primary from Republican City Council Member Vickie Paladino. 'This is what Trump and his sycophants have wrought,' Mamdani had responded then of the bigotry. — Emily Ngo AGREED ON AFFORDABILITY: New York House Democrats who acknowledged Mamdani as their party's pick for New York City mayor found something in his platform they could get onboard with, even as most shied from endorsing him: affordability. They commended him for focusing his campaign on cost of living, a nod to the challenges that animated voters in last year's presidential election. 'His campaign galvanized young voters and centered the fight for a more affordable city for all,' posted Rep. Greg Meeks, who had endorsed Cuomo, congratulating his fellow Queens lawmaker on his Primary Night performance. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who also endorsed Cuomo, said that 'affordability continues to be the leading issue across NYC for the families who call our city home.' Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia Velázquez and Jerry Nadler have endorsed Mamdani, calling for Democratic unity ahead of the November election. 'The radical socialist policies?' Velázquez asked on X, responding to criticism from GOP Rep. Mike Lawler. 'Making a New York City that everyone can afford.' — Emily Ngo More from Congress: — Many Democratic lawmakers and officials in Washington either denounced Mamdani or notably declined to rally around him. (Axios) — The White House is forging ahead with its demand that Congress pass its sweeping megabill by July 4. (POLITICO) — Senate Republicans are dealt a major blow on Medicaid cuts in the GOP megabill. (POLITICO) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — ICE detainees are being held at a notorious Brooklyn jail with Diddy, Luigi Mangione, feds confirm. (Gothamist) — The MTA's 4 percent hike in fares and tolls could be delayed next year. (Newsday) — A video showed U.S. Attorney John Sarcone's encounter with a knife wielding man in downtown Albany. (Times Union) SOCIAL DATA IN MEMORIAM: Former Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, whose personal tragedy propelled her to launch a nearly two-decade congressional career as one of the nation's leading voices for gun control, died Wednesday of natural causes at her home in Fort Myers, Florida. She was 81. (Newsday) HAPPY BIRTHDAY: State Sen. Jessica Ramos (4-0) … Teresa Gonzalez of BSJ … Adam Chen of AG Letitia James' office … Edward Cerna of NYC Council Member Alexa Avilés' office … Carlos Beato of Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno … Trudy Mason … The New School's James Parrott … Nick Rizzo … Terri Smith-Caronia … Tony Fratto … Reuters' David Shepardson … NYT's Krista Mahr and Lisa Friedman … CNN's Carrie Stevenson … Charles Bronfman (94) … George Malkin … Paul Roveda … Scott Livingston … (WAS THURSDAY): Mikhail Khodorkovsky ... Toby Stavisky ... Elizabeth Pipko ... Irving H. Picard ... Austin Grossman ... Robert E. Levin Missed Thursday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Muscle vs. Microwave? 1970 HEMI Charger RestoMod vs the 2025 Dodge EV Daytona
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector What happens when Detroit thunder takes on digital silence? RestoMods just dropped a head-to-head comparison of their RM30 1970 Dodge Charger RestoMod and the futuristic 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV, and let's just say… sparks fly (literally and figuratively). This isn't just a spec sheet shootout — it's a showdown between two ideologies. One car is aggressive, loud, and unapologetically analog. The other is fast, refined, and electric—but feels like it's missing something under the skin. Spoiler alert: you can win the RM30 plus $50,000 at The RM30 is a full-throttle love letter to Mopar muscle. Restored from the ground up by the RestoMods team, this build cranks everything up to 11. It's got a Blueprint Engines 426ci Gen 3 HEMI, pushing 650 horsepower through a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual, and it doesn't stop there. Specs That Matter: Holley Terminator X-Max EFI system MagnaFlow stainless steel 2.5" exhaust with X-pipe QA1 front cradle & 4-link rear with coilovers Wilwood disc brakes (14' 6-piston front, 4-piston rear) Viper Red paint, LED lighting, American Racing wheels on sticky Falken RT660s Sparco GT buckets, Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air A/C, and Hurst pistol grip shifter Every bolt was touched. Every surface reworked. It smells like 91 octane and sounds like thunder wrapped in steel. It's not a car—it's an experience. You feel the downshifts. You hear the HEMI. And you smile like a maniac. Then there's Dodge's latest: the 2025 Charger Daytona EV. It's the first all-electric muscle car from Dodge, and while it's got the speed — sub-4-second 0-60, all-wheel drive, and sleek styling — it feels more like an appliance than an icon. Sure, there's synthetic engine noise. But no matter how many speakers you cram into the chassis, a speaker isn't a HEMI. As RestoMods put it, "You don't cook a steak in the microwave, but we all know this." The Daytona EV is technically impressive, but it lacks the character, presence, and soul that made muscle cars legendary. The RM30, on the other hand, doesn't just pay homage—it takes the spirit of 1970 and updates it for 2025. It's visceral. It's mean. It's alive. You can win this fully built RM30 Charger plus $50,000 in cash. It's RestoMods' 30th giveaway build, and easily one of their most complete to date. ➡️ Enter now at Or watch the video to see what muscle really sounds like. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘I've Got a Scat, I Love It:' Dealership Customer Asks About a ‘Shelby' They Spotted on the Lot. Then They Found Out the Price
A woman recently proved that the customer actually isn't always right. That doesn't necessarily mean a good salesperson should correct them, however. Car salesperson Kate (@callmekate92) recently shared a taste of what she has to deal with on a daily basis with customers who think they know more than her. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . 'A customer just pointed to a Widebody Scat Pack under the awning and asked me how much that 'Shelby' is over there,' Kate says in a TikTok about the experience. Kate says she told her that it's $52,500. The woman wasn't having it. Kate says she replied, 'That is way too much for that car.' 'How do you know? You don't even know what it is,' Kate points out in the video. She doesn't appear to have said this to the woman. 'Not in the mood to argue today—if you say it's a Mustang, then it is,' Kate adds in the caption. What Kind of Car Was It Really? Trending Now 'It Saved Me Money:' Woman Goes to Discount Tire for New Tires. Then She Pulls Out Her Costco Card 'I've Already Made A Payment:' Woman Purchases Lexus RX 350 from Carvana. Then They Send Her Another One In a follow-up video, Kate shows the car. The purple muscle car is not a Mustang. It's not even a Ford. It's a 2023 Dodge Charger Widebody Scat Pack, specifically the Super Bee special edition with a 6.4 liter V-8. The vehicle, she says, has 32,000 miles. Kate says the Charger has suede and leather interiors, remote start, an 8.4' touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Alpine audio. Delivery is free in Texas, but they can also ship it to you out of state, Kate says. What's so Special about the Super Bee? This car was part of a special lineup of limited edition 'Last Call' models honoring vehicles that brought 'buzz' to Dodge over the decades, Dodge Garage reports. There were only 1,000 of the limited-run Chargers made: 500 Widebody Scat Packs in B5 Blue and 500 Scatpacks in Plum Crazy, like the one in Kate's video. The Super Bee was first introduced in 1968 and then again in 1971 as a Charger model. '[The Dodge Super Bee] reached legendary status in its brief original four-year run by giving customers an ultra-high-performance vehicle that could serve as both a daily driver and a weekend warrior at the track or drag strip,' Dodge Garage notes. Dodge discontinued the gasoline-powered Charger after 2023 in its move to transition to more electric vehicles , arguably making this vehicle all the more special. Carvana is selling the same model car with 1,000 miles on it for $59,590. Car and Driver reports that the 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody Super Bee should cost roughly the same amount. It actually would've cost far more than $52,500 if the vehicle was a 2023 Shelby, like the woman thought. That year, Ford purportedly only made 98 Ford Mustang Shelby Super Snake Speedster Editions. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $153,140. Although the woman was wrong about the make and model of the car she was looking at, at least one person agreed that Kate handled the situation the right way. 'Clients are always right,' they said. Motor1 reached out to Kate for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if she responds. More From Motor1 Dodge Charger EV Owners Are Reporting Unintended Acceleration You'll Have To Wait Longer for the Dodge Charger Sixpack The New Dodge Charger Sedan Is Here. And It's Powerful The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T EV Is 'Postponed' for 2026 Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Two charged in 2023 drive-by shooting that killed teen in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two men have been charged in connection with a 2023 shooting that left an 18-year-old dead in Kansas City, according to the prosecutor's office. SirMichael Harbin, 19, and Montell Essex-Benjamin, 21, are each charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release Wednesday. Construction worker hit, killed near NW Barry Road in Kansas City, police say The shooting was reported just before 4 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2023, near East 56th Street and Jackson Avenue. Kansas City police officers responded and found the victim lying in the front yard of a home. The victim, later identified as 18-year-old Joseph Hill, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to court documents, police obtained surveillance video that showed shots being fired from a Dodge Charger at the victim and the home. The Charger then drove away. Police later learned that the car had been reported stolen. On the day of the shooting, police said officers found the Charger in a parking lot with two men standing near it. When police officers tried to talk to the men, they both ran away, according to prosecutors. Police pursued the pair, and both were eventually taken into custody. One of the men was later identified as Essex-Benjamin. In the months following the shooting, detectives obtained cell phone data that connected Essex-Benjamin to the shooting, placing him in the area of the shooting at the time it happened, prosecutors said. Gunshot residue was also found on his hands, the office added. Prosecutors also said Harbin's DNA was found inside the Charger and on a 9mm casing located at the shooting scene. Both Harbin and Essex-Benjamin remained in the Jackson County Jail Wednesday. No bond has been set for Essex-Benjamin, who is expected to have his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon. Online court records were not immediately available for Harbin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
