XXXTentacion has been shot dead in Miami, officials have confirmed. Several figures from the world of music and entertainment have spoken out to pay tribute.
As TMZ reports, the rapper is said to have been shopping for motorcycles when a gunman approached him as he left the dealership.
The rapper, real name Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was reportedly struck by multiple shots with witnesses claiming that he had no pulse.
Emergency officials confirmed that Onfroy was rushed to hospital after witnesses are said to have told police that a Louis Vuitton bag was taken from his vehicle. Investigators have reportedly said the incident appeared to be a possible robbery.
Onfroy is said to have been approached by two armed suspects as he left the dealership, when at least one of the suspects fired their gun and struck XXX before removing a Louis Vuitton bag from his vehicle. The suspects have been described as two black males wearing hoodies, with the shooter wearing a red mask. A reward of up to $3,000 has been offered for any information in finding those responsible.
More to follow on the situation as it develops.
Kanye West, Diplo, and J Cole were among the first stars to pay tribute to the rapper following the news of his death. West tweeted a photo of Onfroy with the caption: “rest in peace. I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here. thank you for existing.”
Diplo revealed that he had invited the rapper to work with him in LA this weekend. “This kid was a genius . true artist,” he wrote. “He made his own rules . He has his faults but he was young and he worked so hard on his own self . He wanted to be better […] He texted me this weekend it was one of his goals to get me & Skrillex to finish his next album. I Invited him to La this week. I was wondering if he was gonna come […] He was gonna do so much more he promised me.”
Onfroy’s label, Caroline Records, have also issued a statement following his death. “Everyone at Caroline is shocked to learn of the tragic death of Jahseh Onfroy, professionally known as XXXTentacion,” it read. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
See those and more tributes below.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1008839504902307840
I’m at a loss for words… speechless #RIPXXXTentacion Loved collaborating with you. You were a true artist, one of the most fucking talented of our time ???
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) June 18, 2018
This got me fucked up. RIP X. Enormous talent and limitless potential and a strong desire to be a better person. God bless his family, friends and fans.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) June 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/KREAYSHAWN/status/1008822046007046144
Notwithstanding personal demons, he was a huge talent & bringing a beautiful new feel to hip hop. So sad. #moonlight https://t.co/E2UYdFMkfz
— Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) June 18, 2018
Prayers up for ?? @xxxtentacion
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) June 18, 2018
Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Family and Fans of @xxxtentacion ?? #RIP
— Lil Flip (@LilFlip713) June 18, 2018
I was so inspired by XXX music, the way he had no boundaries on his sound and could adapt from one genre to the next is so rare in this day and age. I believe some of the best art comes from some of the most tortured souls, and all demons aside, nobody deserves to die young ?
— J (@JackJ) June 19, 2018
Where there’s life there’s hope and XXXTENTACION was really bettering himself and his fans with his turn to positivity only to have it cut short. No one deserves this man. Prayers to his loved ones and those heavily affected. Rest In Peace young king.
— juice wayne (@visecs) June 18, 2018
Just woke up to awful news. It doesn’t matter if you were a fan or not. It is gut wrenching to hear about the loss of an artist who was so influential, and who’s music helped so many souls. RIP X.
— Alex Aiono (@alexaiono) June 18, 2018
Last month, Onfroy dropped his defamation lawsuit against a woman that he allegedly hit in a recently resurfaced video.
The footage in question showed the Florida rapper dancing behind a woman, who was filming herself, before he appeared to hit her hard on the side of her head.
Last year, the rapper was released from prison and put on “very strict house arrest conditions”, after a document from an ex-girlfriend was filed claiming that she no longer wants XXXTentacion to be prosecuted for domestic abuse against her. However, his house arrest was lifted. In October 2016, he was charged with aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery, false imprisonment, and witness tampering.
He was also among the artists whose music was removed from Spotify playlists due to past allegations.
His latest album ‘?’ debuted at No.1. in the US and No.3 in the UK this year.