'Cali Swag District' Rapper Dead at 25

JayAre from the rap group Cali Swag District died Friday ... the result of sickle cell anemia according to one of the guys in the group.

Jay suffered from sickle cell anemia and was hospitalized Thursday for unknown reasons, this according to MTV, Hours later he went into into cardiac arrest and died.

General Da Smoove -- another member of CSD -- tweeted last night, "Sickle cell took my brother away from me today."

Smoove adds, "With that being said I'm proud to know that with that disease he made the best of his life ... I jus(sp) saw my bro literally fight for his life I told him 'I love you bro' hope'n he heard me."

Sadly, Jay is not the first member of Cali Swag to die ... in 2011, CSD member M-Bone was murdered in a drive-by shooting.

JayAre was 25.

Cali Swag District to Obama Come to Our BBQ We'll Teach You to 'Dougie'

President Barack Obama may THINK he's good enough to teach "The Dougie" to party goers at Michelle's 50th b-day bash ... but the rappers who invented it say it's the Prez who needs a lesson ... from them.

Rappers Cali Swag District were stoked that their moves made it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, telling us, "it just took us to a new level ... political, upper class level."

But the guys say it's impossible for B.O. to get his Dougie certification without a lesson from the masters ... so they're sending an invite for the Prez to attend one of their BBQs.

As for why they chose a barbecue ... Yung from C.S.D. says it's simple ... "Black people love BBQ!"

His words.

Cali Swag Video Star -- Witness In Fatal Shooting

A man who was featured in the "Teach Me How to Dougie" music video has been identified as a witness to the murder of Cali Swag District member M-Bone ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We're told a heavyset man who goes by the name, "Bubba" -- was in front of the liquor store in Inglewood, CA Monday night when someone shot and killed M-Bone.

Bubba famously did the "Dougie" without a shirt on in the group's music video -- and is close personal friends with several members of C.S.D.

Several witnesses tell us Bubba was waiting inside of the car M-Bone drove to the store ... and when the fatal shots were fired, shards of broken glass struck Bubba in the face. Witnesses also tell us M-Bone was shot as he tried to get inside of the car.

Bubba was hospitalized for his wounds -- though we're told the injuries are not life-threatening.

As we previously reported, cops are on the hunt for the killer -- and looking into the possibility the shooting was all over a girl.

Cali Swag Victim's GF: Jealousy Triggered Murder

Murdered Cali Swag District member M-Bone was being threatened by a man who was insanely jealous of his success -- this according to M-Bone's girlfriend who spoke with TMZ.

M-Bone's girlfriend -- who lived with him for more than a year -- says a man living in their apartment complex was obsessed with the rapid rise of Cali Swag, and overtly hostile to M-Bone -- aka, Mante Talbert.

The girlfriend -- who is scared and does not want her name used -- confirms M-Bone was in a Twitter war with the jealous man, which we previously reported. We're told the jealous man made threats of violence.

The girlfriend tells us ... on Sunday ... she picked M-Bone up at the airport at 12:15PM and took him back to their apartment. Later that night, at around 10PM, M-Bone took her car and said he was going to the studio to record.

She tells us soon after she got a call from another member of Cali Swag with the devastating news her boyfriend had been shot.

As we first reported, the gunman fired shots as M-Bone stood near his girlfriend's car which was parked outside an Inglewood, CA liquor store. The shooter drove a short distance, then made a U-turn and came back, presumably to see if he had hit his target.

Inglewood Police are currently investigating the shooting -- so far no arrests have been made.

Cali Swag District -- We've Got to 'Stay Strong'

Two members of Cali Swag District already have a game plan when it comes to handling the aftermath of M-Bone's murder -- telling TMZ they've got to "stay strong ... stay safe ... stay out the streets."

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TMZ spoke to C Smoove and Jay Are Monday in L.A. -- where they wanted to make one thing clear ... M-Bone was NOT involved in any gang violence.

When our guy asked them if they had any words for M-Bone's family -- C Smoove replied, "We are his family."

Cali Swag Fatal Shooting -- Beef Over A Girl?

Murdered Cali Swag District member M-Bone may have been targeted after a Twitter war over a girl ... sources connected with the group tell TMZ.

Our sources say M-Bone's friends have been in touch with cops, telling investigators after he got back to L.A. from his tour, he got involved with a girl. M-Bone's friends say a guy who lived in the woman's building didn't like the relationship, and allegedly began threatening M-Bone via Twitter.

We're told M-Bone did not back down and the two men started cyber smack-talking each other.

TMZ has learned ... the black car in which M-Bone was shot is registered to the woman.

Cops are trying to figure out why M-Bone was driving the woman's car and whether the cyber war is in any way related to the shooting.

And one more important detail. Witnesses tell TMZ, the shooter fired, left, then pulled a U-turn and came back around, possibly to see if he hit his target. The upshot -- it might not be random, as first suspected.

Cali Swag District -- Help Us Find M-Bone's Killer

Cali Swag District is reaching out to the public to help identify whoever shot and killed group member M-Bone last night in L.A. -- telling fans to contact police ASAP if they have any information whatsoever.

CSD released the statement to TMZ, claiming, M-Bone "was the victim of a random act of violence last night, Sunday, May 15th in his hometown of Inglewood, CA."

"As police are still investigating the shooting and untimely death , we ask that anyone with information contact the Inglewood Police Department."

CSD adds, M-Bone "was an inspiration to his family, friends, and fans. He was a hardworking, passionate artist and dancer that will be deeply missed."

M-Bone Victim of Random Drive-By Shooting

M-Bone -- who was fatally shot last night -- was the victim of a drive-by shooting, and it appears to be a random act of violence ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

M-Bone -- aka Mante Talbert from the rap group Cali Swag District -- was next to his car in front of an Inglewood, CA liquor store at 11:32 PM Sunday when shots rang out. Our sources say the shooter was driving down La Brea Avenue alone in his car when he fired.

Inglewood detectives are investigating, but right now it looks like M-Bone was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We're told M-Bone, who became famous with his group for the song, "Teach Me How to Dougie," was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Cali Swag District Member -- Gunshot Victim

Cali Swag District member M-Bone died of gunshot wounds last night in his hometown of Inglewood, CA ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Story developing ...

Cali Swag District Member Dies

M-Bone -- one the of the members of the rap group Cali Swag District -- died last night ... TMZ has confirmed.

Earlier this morning, the group's leader, Smoove -- posted a Tweet saying, "Ma life changed drastically in the. Blink of an eye rip mbone."

So far, it's unclear how M-Bone died.

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Cali Swag District shot to stardom with their hit, "Teach Me How to Dougie."

M-Bone -- real name Mante Talbert -- was 22.

Just last year, M-Bone and the rest of the guys came in to the TMZ studio and taught Harvey how to "Dougie." He couldn't have been nicer.

R.I.P.

NBA #1 Draft Pick I'll Teach You How to Dougie

The first guy picked in this year's NBA Draft -- John Wall -- has more moves in his arsenal than a nasty crossover ... dude can do the "Dougie" like a frickin' pro.

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The 20-year-old Washington Wizards star got down with fellow NBA'ers Tiny Gallon ... and DeMarcus Cousins at the Panini NBA Rookie Photo Shoot in New York yesterday.

Ya gotta check out the video .. errbody love 'em.

TMZ Live -- Cali Swag District in the House

Big celebrity guests were on today's TMZ Live!!! Harvey kicked it with the guys from Cali Swag District -- the group behind the biggest song in the country, "Teach Me How to Dougie."

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CSD were nothing short of awesome today as they talked about everything from their rise to fame ... to their remix of a Michael Jackson song ... to the origins of the "Dougie."

Check it out!!!