Sep 17, 2025 - News

DaBaby was really kicked off light rail in new music video depicting stabbing

Alexandria Sands

DaBaby smiles with a mic in his hand — Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Charlotte rapper DaBaby did not have the city's approval to film his newest music video for "SAVE ME," which depicts the Aug. 22 violent attack on the light rail, per the Charlotte Area Transit System.

The big picture: Labeled "Based on a True Story," the video was filmed on Charlotte's Blue Line and features actors resembling Iryna Zarutska, the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on the Blue Line, and Decarlos Brown Jr., the accused attacker.

In the video, transit security is shown escorting DaBaby and the actors off the light rail vehicle.

Between the lines: CATS told Axios it did not grant permission for the filming. The security seen in the video was real — and was actually escorting the crew from the train, a spokesperson said.

The filming was reported Monday night as a safety concern through the system's app, per CATS.

Context: DaBaby, a Charlotte native and Vance High School graduate, is a Grammy-nominated rapper known to represent his hometown through his lyrics, clothing choices, filming locations and by showing up at large and small events for the city. He's also been at the center of several controversies.

The video, released Tuesday, begins with surveillance video of Zarutska and Brown on the train the night of the stabbing. DaBaby's YouTube description notes that the song is dedicated to Zarutska and links to the GoFundMe for her family.

DaBaby could not be immediately reached for comment.

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DaBaby was really kicked off light rail in new music video depicting stabbing

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