Rapper XXXTentacion was shot and killed during an apparent robbery Monday in Broward County, Florida, police said.
The 20-year-old rapper, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was leaving a motorsports store shortly before 4 p.m. when two men in a dark colored SUV shot and killed him in an apparent robbery, said Keyla Concepción, Broward County sheriff department public information officer.
Broward County deputies are actively looking for the two men and asking anyone who witnessed the shooting to come forward, Concepción said.
Rise to Fame
XXXTentacion, a Plantation, Florida, native, rocketed to fame after his song “Look at Me” went viral on social media and audio distribution platform SoundCloud in 2016 according to CNN affiliate WSVN-TV.
He went on to be featured in XXL magazine’s 2017 Freshman Class alongside other up-and-coming artists.
His latest album “?” premiered at No. 1 when it was released in March, according to Billboard’s website. The album’s single “Sad!” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 15 weeks on the charts, according to Billboard.
At the time of his death, he was awaiting trial for a domestic violence incident involving his pregnant girlfriend, according to court documents.
And he had been under house arrest for a time while he awaited trial on battery and harassment charges. The house arrest was lifted in March, according to Miami-Dade court documents. He had pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts, including witness tampering.
XXXTentacion also stirred controversy. His September 2017 music video for the viral hit “Look at Me” sparked backlash for staging a scene depicting XXXTentacion lynching a young white boy. The video also referenced flashpoints in the national debate on race such as the 1991 Rodney King beating, the lynching in Mississippi of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955, the 2014 Ferguson, Missouri riots, the police shooting of Philando Castile in Minnesota in 2016 and the 2017 Charlottesville, Virginia, violence.
At the end of the video, XXXTentacion spoke about violence and American youth.
“Are you willing to risk your child’s future due to your own bigotry? The choice is yours, but your child will not stand for the hate. This generation will be loved, nurtured, heard and understood.”
Celebrity Reaction
When the news of XXXTentacion’s death hit, rappers took to social media.
Kanye West shared his condolences, saying “Rest in peace I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here thank you for existing.”
Juicy J also shared his thoughts in two short tweets saying “”Prayers up for @xxxtentacion” and “R.I.P. Xxxtentacion.”
Tyga, a California rapper signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment, said it’s “so sad to lose good artist” via Twitter.
Big Sean said on Twitter that his heart dropped when he heard about his fellow rapper’s death.
“I feel like we only got to see a glimpse of his artistry,” Big Sean said. “I didn’t know him personally but I respect how passionate he was about his music and message. Nobody deserves this kind of ending. gone too soon, damn! RIP.”
Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine also took to Instagram to talk about XXXTentacion’s death in sometimes graphic language.
“Tomorrow’s not promised … you could be here today and be gone tomorrow,” he said. “X spread nothing but positivity.”
XXXTentacion’s death came on the same day that another young rapper, Jimmy Wopo, was fatally shot in Pittsburgh.
Clarification: Earlier versions of this story did not include that the rapper’s house arrest status was lifted in March.
