Rapper PnB Rock has reportedly died from injuries he sustained in a shooting in Los Angeles on Monday (September 12). He was 30 years old.
The Philadelphia-born artist – best known for his 2016 single ‘Selfish’ – was shot in South Los Angeles at the Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles restaurant around 1pm yesterday.
As The Los Angeles Times reports, Rock – real name Rakim Allen – had been at the eatery with his girlfriend who in a since-deleted Instagram post had shared a location-tagged photo.
Los Angeles police Captain Lelly Muniz said a suspect “brandished a firearm inside the restaurant and demanded items from the victim”. Allen is believed to have been targeted for his jewellery.
“[The suspect] shot the victim and ran out the side door to a getaway car and then fled the parking lot,” Muniz said. Los Angeles Police Department investigators are said to be examining security footage from inside the restaurant to identify the shooter and establish whether they fled on foot or in a vehicle.
Allen was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1.59pm.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1991, Allen released his debut mixtape, ‘Real N**** Bangaz’ in 2014. He signed a record label with Atlantic Records in 2015, releasing his third mixtape ‘RnB3’.
Allen released his single ‘Selfish’ in 2016. The track peaked at 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. He featured on YFN Lucci‘s 2017 song ‘Everyday We Lit’, landing at at Number 33 on the same chart.
He featured on Ed Sheeran‘s 2019 single ‘Cross Me’ alongside Chance The Rapper.
Allen’s released his most recent single, ‘Luv Me Again’, earlier this month.
He is survived by his two daughters. Tributes have poured in on social media from Allen’s peers.
Nicki Minaj said on Twitter: “He was such a pleasure to work with… This makes me so sick.”
After Pop Smoke there’s no way we as rappers or our loved ones are still posting locations to our whereabouts. To show waffles & some fried chicken????! He was such a pleasure to work with. Condolences to his mom & family. This makes me feel so sick. Jesus. #SIP #PnbRock 🕊
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2022
See more tributes including from Denzel Curry and DJ Akademiks below.
R.I.P. PNB ROCK
— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) September 13, 2022
A lot of ppl hurt over the passing of PNB Rock.. everyone passing blame to everyone but the nigga who actually killed him……. the reason why he got killed is because some bum ass nigga decided to try to rob him and take his life. Everything else is extra.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) September 13, 2022
Pray for pnb rock….the man got family and kids smh God be with the man‼️
— OFFSET (@OffsetYRN) September 13, 2022
God bless PNB Rock’s family and I pray his children never have to see that video. What a senseless tragedy
— RAVEN B. (@RAVIEB) September 13, 2022
This shit is getting out of hand Rest In Peace PNB Rock ❤️
— CARLOS HAHA DAVIS (@HaHaDavis) September 13, 2022
Sending love to PNB rocks family and loved ones 💔💔😢🙏🏾
— BIA (@BIABIA) September 13, 2022
R.I.P Pnb Rock 🤍🕊
— SATURN’S BABY🪐 (@_FloMilli) September 13, 2022
RIP PNB Rock. I’m just so upset, I’m sorry. My favourite artists are just getting killed man.
It’s not fair. It’s just not fair
— ksi (@KSI) September 13, 2022