R.I.P. Cavlar

On March 26, 2008 -- Ex-con rapper Cavlar, who had just begun to claw his way to success with his own music and "Step Up Your Game" DVDs featuring big-name stars, was gunned down yesterday on a Brooklyn street as he stepped out of his Jaguar to meet a promoter.

The rapper and father of three, whose real name is Leval Lyde, was hit by a single shot to the chest on Fulton Street at 4:49 a.m. as his cousin watched in horror.

The shooting came after Lyde, 36, argued with the gunman and two of the killer's pals - all of whom fled.

"I saw a lady running [and] came outside and she said, 'They're killing each over there!' " said store owner Amilcar Salvador, 40.

An uncle, Clarence Lamb, was stunned at the "senseless death."

"Young people killing each other . . . is fruitless," he said. "It's crazy, just crazy."

Police were looking into whether the bloodshed might have been rap-related.

A cousin who asked not to be identified, said Lyde was "a kind person, a loving person."

On hip-hop Web sites, Cavlar was known for his association with Earthquake Camp Records and the "Step Your Game Up" DVDs, which feature top stars, interviews and videos.

In 2004, he toured with stars Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins, and had been featured on Hot 97's DJ Kay Slay Drama Hour and WBLS' Wendy Williams Show.

According to the record label, he "honed his writing and rapping skills while serving time in New York's Arthur Kill Correctional Facility" - which he said helped steer him to a music career.