Rising rapper Phora was shot and wounded while he was driving on the 210 Freeway in California on Tuesday night (Aug. 25). The 22-year-old rhymer was driving home with his girlfriend when an unknown gunman in another vehicle opened fire.

According to KTLA, three bullets pierced his white BMW. His girlfriend was injured and Phora was hit in the back of the neck -- the bullet lodged near his spinal cord.

Phora, whose real name is Marco Archer, is making a name for himself as a rapper in the Orange County area. His YouTube channel boasts several music videos with some hitting over 2 million views. He’s not a gangsta rapper, so his music doesn’t warrant any violent reaction, which makes the shooting attempt on his life particularly stressful.

"I just don't want to be looked at as a typical rapper, I'm trying spread a positive message," he told KTLA. "I have hundreds of songs and not one time do I talk about guns or glorify that lifestyle."

The artist shared the details of the shooting on his Instagram page and gave thanks to the Lord above for protecting him from harm. He wrote in part:

"These streets don't love you. These streets don't wanna see [your] dog good or make it out," he wrote. "The hood mentality will only have you end up in 2 places. I almost lost my life 2 nights ago, multiple shots fired into my car and one going from my shoulder to the back of my neck/head. I'll survive, but still slowly recovering and going through a lot."

"I'm not a gangster, not affiliated with any of that "hood" bulls---. I'm a man trying to provide for my family," he continues. "Ignorant people and those who think they're hood will continue to try and bring me down... But I know who I am. I know what I stand for. This only goes to show I have God on my side, and my karma is good...I refuse to live my life in fear. I know God has a plan for me, it's all in his hands now."

You can read Phora's missive in its entirety below.

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