Local Atlanta Hip-Hop Legend Passes
Atlanta, Georgia – Among Atlanta’s hundreds of rappers, one emcee has stood above the rest for over three decades: Dres Tha Beatnik.
Born Andre Lett in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he arrived in Atlanta during the early 1990s with dreams of making it as a rapper. Finding himself far from home in a competitive scene filled with aspiring artists sporting various Southern accents, Lett carved out his own path by becoming a master of ceremonies at local events.
What started as a way to stand out quickly evolved into something bigger. Through his natural charisma and crowd-pleasing skills, Lett became Atlanta’s hip-hop community’s most sought-after event host. Along the way, he built his personal brand around his signature catchphrase, “Follow The Hat,” which became synonymous with quality entertainment in the city’s music scene.
Lett’s impact on Atlanta’s cultural landscape was officially recognized in 2024 when Google designated a mural honoring him in the historic Cabbagetown neighborhood as a cultural landmark—a fitting tribute to an artist who helped define the city’s hip-hop identity.
Let has been dealing with health complications for a number of years now, and it was announced Monday morning that he had passed.
