Nonbinary New Orleans Artist and DJ, YOKO, Killed in Hit-and-Run

YOKO, a popular nonbinary tattoo artist and DJ in New Orleans, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in September. The artist, who was 30 years old, is at least the 18^thtransgender, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming person to die by violence this year.

YOKO, whose name stood for “You Only Know One,” was hit by an SUV when driving a motor scooter the evening of September 19 in New Orleans. YOKO was knocked off the scooter and died at the scene, and the SUV driver kept on going, local media report.

Police arrested a suspect, Bryan Mitchell, 35, the following day as he and another person were changing a tire on the SUV along an interstate highway. He is charged with hit-and-run driving resulting in death and possession of a stolen vehicle.

YOKO is being remembered as a gifted artist and “an exceptional, joyful, absurdly talented, and extremely loving and gentle human,” as one friend told New Orleans TV station WVUE. They worked at a tattoo shop called Slangin Dat Ink.

“Their style is very unique. It’s one-of-a-kind, all-custom art,” shop owner Salvador Rodriguez told another TV station, WWL. The shop offered memorial tattoos in honor of YOKO, with proceeds going to the artist’s mother.

YOKO wrote on their website that they were mentored by their “talented grandparents.” Their grandfather Harold Clarke is a fashion designer, and his wife, banker Iona Clarke, has also been involved in the business.

“As well as my family, I am inspired by so many things, notably anime and cartoons, complimentary color [palettes], nature, and horror all in one,” YOKO continued. “Lately, I’ve been hyperfixated on monster girls and nonbinary folks, but one day I’ll do literally anything else as a subject.”

In the realm of music, YOKO had planned to unveil a “solo noise project” called “Discernment” at a New Orleans theater September 29.

“YOKO’s death is such a profound loss for the entire New Orleans community,” Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, said in a press release. “I wish YOKO was still here with the people who knew and loved them best. They were a prolific artist and gentle spirit who seemed to truly pour the joy of life into everyone they knew. As loved ones grieve, they should find solace in the fact that YOKO had so many people who loved them and admired their amazing talent. YOKO’s warmth and joy will live on in the New Orleans community and beyond. The world could use a lot more love and compassion for every person.”