An Aspiring Rapper Claimed He Was a Prophet on Social Media. Then People Started Going Missing

An alarming new investigation has emerged surrounding the University of Cosmic Intelligence (UCI), an online group founded by Rashad Jamal in 2020, which has garnered thousands of followers, some of whom have since vanished without a trace. People Magazine’s Investigates special delves into the complicated landscape of this group, which law enforcement has labelled a decentralised online cult, and the concerning fate of six of its members.

The backdrop to Jamal’s emergence was a tumultuous time in the United States characterised by a pandemic and nationwide protests following the tragic murder of George Floyd. Amid this upheaval, Jamal, an aspiring rapper based in Atlanta, began to draw attention online with content targeted at Black and Latino audiences, initially advocating concepts of identity and social consciousness. However, as his audience expanded, his messaging took a radical shift.

The University of Cosmic Intelligence positions itself as a platform dedicated to “enlightening and illuminating minds.” Nonetheless, authorities have expressed grave concerns about the group, which has attracted followers from across the country and set the stage for a troubling narrative involving disappearances. Reports indicate that a group of six individuals who were part of Jamal’s followers went missing in August 2023 from a residence in Berkeley, Missouri.

The missing individuals, who included adults and a small child, appeared to have embarked on a collective spiritual journey, moving together from various parts of the United States into a home in the St. Louis area. Disturbingly, prior to their disappearance, the adults began using different names and severed ties with family members. Since then, there have been no communications from them, raising alarm among their loved ones.

Mikayla Thompson, Ma’Kayla Wickerson, Gerielle German, Naaman Williams, and both a mother and her three-year-old child, have been confirmed as the missing members. Their cases drew the attention of law enforcement and concerned a broader discussion regarding the influence and reach of Jamal’s teachings. The significance of the group’s shift from uplifting messages to those entangled with bizarre conspiracy theories—allegedly influenced by ancient Sumerian mythology and extraterrestrial beings—has raised red flags.

In a two-hour special set to air shortly, People Magazine Investigates provides an in-depth exploration of these issues. The forthcoming programme will include interviews with survivors, law enforcement officials, and Jamal’s former partner, Darshell Smith, who has offered insights into Jamal’s evolution and the escalation of his rhetoric. Smith described how Jamal’s focus shifted dramatically over time, delving into pseudoscientific claims that diverged far from his original messages of empowerment.

In a troubling development, Rashad Jamal is currently serving a prison sentence in Georgia after being convicted of child molestation in 2023, a charge he continues to deny vehemently. Despite his incarceration, his social media activity remains surprisingly robust, raising questions about the ongoing influence he may still exert over his followers and the UCI. The group’s website remains accessible, suggesting that the operation continues, even under the constraints of Jamal’s legal woes.

Amidst these issues, the investigation raises critical questions about the nature of online communities and the potential for harmful ideologies to take root in uncertain times. As viewers await the airing of People Magazine Investigates: The University of Cosmic Intelligence Cult, their attention is drawn to the plight of the missing individuals and the broader implications of involvement in such groups.

This special is set to premiere on Investigation Discovery and will stream on HBO Max, offering a comprehensive look into a phenomenon that has both alarmed and intrigued observers. It sheds light on the responsibilities that come with online influence and the sometimes dangerous fallout of radicalised beliefs in the digital age, urging audiences to consider the implications of following charismatic figures like Jamal.