US rapper XXXTentacion died after being shot last night, (June 19), while reportedly shopping for motorcycles in South Florida.
The 20-year-old, real name Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was pronounced dead at a Fort Lauderdale-area hospital on Monday evening.
Onfroy had been at the RIVA Motorsports store, and was preparing to leave at around 4pm when two armed suspects approached him, reports the Daily Mail. At least one of the suspects is said to have fired, before both fled the scene in a dark SUV.
Currently, investigators have made no arrests and do not have a motive, at the time of writing.
Fans have taken to social media to show their grief, including other musicians.
Kanye West wrote:
rest in peace I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here thank you for existing [sic]
J. Cole wrote:
This got me f*cked up. RIP X. Enormous talent and limitless potential and a strong desire to be a better person.
God bless his family, friends and fans.
Travis Barker wrote:
I’m at a loss for words… speechless. #RIPXXXTentacion Loved collaborating with you.
You were a true artist, one of the most f*cking talented of our time
As news of his death broke online, fans started to share recent videos of the rapper, including one undated clip which, now, seems sadly prescient.
Originally posted on Instagram Live, the rapper spoke about what he hopes his legacy would be, saying:
If worse things comes to worst, and I f*cking die or some sh*t and I’m not able to see out my dreams, I at least want to know that the kids perceived my message and were able to make something of themselves and able to take my message and use it and turn it into something positive and to at least have a good life.
If I’m going to die or ever be a sacrifice, I want to make sure that my life made at least five million kids happy, or they found some sort of answers or resolve in my life regardless of the negative around my name, regardless of the bad things people say to me.
Do not let your depression make you. Do not let your body define your soul, let your soul find your body. Your mind is limitless. You are worth more than you can believe. All you have to do is dream and all you have to do is want to fulfil that dream and have the strength.
Prior to the shooting, XXXTentacion, who’s had a string of hits – despite being in the early stages of his career – was facing a litany of felony charges, including witness tampering.
The Florida rapper was also facing trial for domestic violence against his pregnant girlfriend. He was under house arrest but the judge recently lifted it so he could go on tour.
Last year he appeared on XXL magazine’s prestigious Freshman cover – a special issue which shines a spotlight on the next generation of rappers.
He shared the cover with fellow freshman alumni’s: Kamaiyah, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, PnB Rock, Playboi Carti, Aminé, Kap G, Kyle, Ugly God and MadeinTYO.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.