New Orleans producer Mykel “MykelOnTheBeat” Cook was arrested on a charge of intentionally exposing someone to HIV, per court records cited by NOLA.com. Cook, 33, was booked into the Orleans Justice Center on September 18 on one count of intentional exposure to the AIDS virus. Louisiana law makes that a felony, and a conviction could bring up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The woman at the center of the case is Jayvonda Bazile, 38, a New Orleans bounce artist who performs as BOG Vonnie. She asked NOLA.com to identify her publicly, saying she wants the music industry to take HIV testing seriously and that she believes others may have been exposed. According to the arrest affidavit, Cook met Bazile in 2018 and agreed to help her music career. The relationship later turned personal. “We became friends, and we weren’t in a relationship, but we were casually hooking up, or hanging out, doing music,” she said.
Bazile said her view of him changed after a frightening studio episode. “Once specifically on my session, he caught a seizure and was foaming from the mouth,” she said, adding that a mutual friend warned her, “You better be using protection, because he’s got AIDS.” She said she developed fevers, night sweats and trouble swallowing in February 2023, then tested positive for HIV the next month. Investigators allege Cook’s own medical records showed he was diagnosed with HIV in 2019 and had been treated through University Medical Center.
Cook was initially held without bond pending a Gwen’s Law hearing, then Magistrate Commissioner Joyce Sallah set bond at $250,000 and issued a protective order for Bazile. Cook has since posted bond. Court records also show prior domestic violence convictions against Cook in 2021 and 2023. His production credits include Boosie BadAzz, Chance the Rapper and NBA YoungBoy. The charge remains an allegation, and Cook is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless prosecutors prove the case. Bazile has launched a GoFundMe to cover legal and counseling costs tied to the case.