Tommy Simpson, known by the name -Topic, one of Dallas’ most popular up-and-coming rap artists, had a backpack stolen from a venue that contained years worth of original music.
The music has stopped for one of Dallas' most popular up-and-coming rap artists.
Tommy Simpson, who goes by the name -Topic, was performing at the Drugstore Cowboy Wednesday in Deep Ellum when someone stole his backpack. Inside was a hard drive full of the rapper's original music, which he planned to release over the next several years.
"My skateboard was tucked here, camera bag was literally here, backpack was literally right here," Simpson said, outlining where he placed each stolen item near a couch inside the cafe.
Simpson desperately wants it back, but not just for himself. The hard drive contains collaborations Simpson has done with several local artists, including one of his best friends who recently passed.
"Hs name was Jordan Walker. He didcated his final keys to the project," he said. "This is other people's livelihood. This is people's life energy."
Simpson said the surveillance cameras inside the cafe are unlikely to yield any significant leads. He now faces the prospect of having to start from scratch on his latest album, "These Things Will Happen," which he's already reworked three times, and many others scheduled for release in two years.
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"The timing of it sucks. The way it played out sucks," the musician said. "It was just a long stretch of hard work and we were almost at the finish line."
"I believe if somebody actually plugs up the hard drive and plugs it in the computer and sees what's on that drive they're going to be like 'I think I messed up,'" Simpson said.
Simpson's backpack is black with an assortment of gray skulls around it. It has two pockets with neon green zippers. He's offering a $1,000 reward for its return.
If you have the backpack you can return it to the Drugstore Cowboy. If you have any information contact Simpson at sosotopic.info@gmail.com.
Simpson said he has no interest in pressing charges.
"Really, I just want my stuff back," he said.
UPDATE:
Simspon said late Thursday night that his bag was returned by someone who had purchased it from someone earlier that evening.Unfortunately, the bag was empty.
