With news this week of the death of emerging rapper, Lil Peep, it seems the tragic incident has prompted another musician to re-evaluate his life.
Lil Peep, real name Gustav Åhr, gained acclaim on YouTube, where his songs White Wine, Benz Truck and The Way I See Things have each gained over four million views.
The emo rapper, whose emotional tracks charted depression and drug use, passed away at the age of 21, with reports claiming it was a drugs overdose.
‘Peep, who grew up in Long Beach, New York, was reportedly taken to hospital following an overdose – he was found unresponsive by his manager on his tour bus, report The Guardian.
In a video posted online hours before his death – which has now been removed from Instagram – the musician said he’d taken prescription drugs and other substances, saying:
I’m good, I’m not sick.
Now, fellow musician and friend of Lil Peep, Lil Uzi, has tweeted to say he’s taking a break from substance abuse.
On social media, Uzi tweeted:
We would love 2 stop ….. but do you really care cause we been on xanax all fucking year.
Seemingly empathising with Lil Peep’s situation, he added:
Rip buddy I 100% understand and I don’t fault u [sic].
Uzi went on to tell his 2.6m followers on Twitter how he’s been suffering with symptoms after trying to stay ‘sober’.
He tweeted:
Sober 2 day I have been shaking.
I have been cursing my love ones out and fighting. In the studio with no thoughts in my head.
Teeth biting down because I just wanna be angry at something ……maybe I will just smoke weed tonight.
Lil Peep, the New York-born artist who resided in London as of this year, was a member of GOTHBOICLIQUE alongside Lil Tracy, Mackned, Cold Hart and others.
His debut album, Come Over When You’re Sober, dropped in September.
Lil Peep was heavily involved in fashion, proudly displaying his own unique style while performing as well as attending fashion week catwalk shows such as Balmain.
Tributes have poured in from the world of music, including a heartfelt post from friend and collaborator, Post Malone, who tweeted:
In the short time that I knew you, you were a great friend to me and a great person. Your music changed the world and it’ll never be the same.
I love you bud. Forever.
As the music world tries to come to terms with Lil Peep’s death, Lil Uzi’s response is something to both admire and encourage.
His explanatory tweets show just how hard and complicated addiction is.
If you’ve been affected by anything in this article, call the Samaritans on their free phone number, anytime, on 116 123. Don’t suffer in silence.
