New Orleans Producer Detained Over Allegations of HIV Exposure to Artist

Authorities in New Orleans have taken a music producer into custody on charges of intentionally exposing an artist to HIV. The producer is accused of infecting a bounce artist for whom he had previously produced albums.

Reports from NOLA indicate that Mykel "MykelOnTheBeat" Cook, aged 33, was processed at the Orleans Justice Center on September 18th, as confirmed by court documents. Initially, Cook was held without the possibility of bail, awaiting a hearing under Gwen's Law. Magistrate Commissioner Joyce Sallah subsequently set his bond at $250,000 and concurrently issued a domestic protective order to safeguard the alleged victim. He has since secured his release after posting bail. Furthermore, Cook's record includes prior domestic violence convictions from 2021 and 2023, originating in St. Charles and Jefferson parishes.

The artist involved, 38-year-old Jayvonda Bazile, known professionally as BOG Vonnie, explicitly requested NOLA.com to publicly disclose her identity. Bazile informed the publication that her decision to speak out stems from a desire for the music industry to prioritize HIV testing, and a concern that other individuals might have also been exposed.

The arrest affidavit details that Cook and Bazile reportedly first connected in 2018, where he “agreed to assist her in pursuing a music career and later assumed the role of her music producer.” Bazile stated that what began as a professional association eventually evolved into a personal one. She explained to the outlet, "We became friends, and we weren’t in a relationship, but we were casually hooking up, or hanging out, doing music. Doing work to get us in a better spot in life." Cook's production portfolio boasts collaborations with notable artists such as Boosie BadAzz, Chance the Rapper, and NBA YoungBoy.