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Hip Hop has seen its justifiable share of tragedies. The premature deaths of a number of outstanding rappers have created a void within the music trade and within the hearts of followers worldwide. Whether or not it was by a drug overdose, deadly capturing or simply being on the mistaken place on the mistaken time, these artists had been taken means too quickly — typically on the top of their careers. The passing of Nipsey Hussle, Mac Miller and Younger Dolph not solely signified a lack of expertise but additionally highlighted the often-harsh realities and challenges entertainers face within the trade and of their private lives.
Rap-Up rounded up 16 rappers whose lives and careers had been lower quick to pay tribute to their lasting legacies within the style. From pioneering artists equivalent to Pop Smoke and Speaker Knockerz to rising stars like Massive Scarr, every had a profound affect on their followers. Their musical and philanthropic contributions to the world proceed to resonate after their deaths, reminding us of all of the misplaced potential.
1. Massive Scarr
On the trail to turning into one other certainly one of Memphis’ burgeoning rap stars, Massive Scarr died on Dec. 22, 2022, on the age of twenty-two. His reason behind loss of life was later revealed to be an unintentional drug overdose of prescription drugs.
Massive Scarr’s profession took off after signing to Gucci Mane’s 1017 Data. His 2021 debut mixtape, Massive Grim Reaper, featured collaborations with artists like Foogiano, Enchanting, Tay Keith and Pooh Shiesty. Surefire tracks like “MJ” and the Offset-assisted “Fantasy” later happened by means of its follow-up, Massive Grim Reaper: The Return. Earlier than his premature passing, he was making ready to place out his first studio album and go on Key Glock’s “Glockoma Tour.”
Gucci Mane expressed his grief on Instagram, posting a collection of pictures of Massive Scarr performing. Elsewhere, frequent collaborators like NLE Choppa, Tay Keith and BIG30 mourned the lack of the musician.
2. Pop Smoke
On Feb. 19, 2020, Pop Smoke was shot and killed throughout a house invasion in Hollywood Hills. The 20-year-old was at a rented property when 5 intruders, utilizing an tackle posted on his Instagram, entered his residence. Based on stories, he was confronted within the bathe and shot a number of occasions, together with within the again. The “Welcome To The Occasion” hitmaker was pronounced lifeless at Cedars-Sinai Medical Middle. Per TMZ, in 2023, certainly one of 4 males accused of the homicide obtained sentenced to 4 years in jail after pleading responsible to voluntary manslaughter.
Pop Smoke was extensively credited for catapulting New York drill rap into the mainstream. “Dior” and “Shake the Room” that includes Quavo served as a few of his earlier hits. In the meantime, the Brooklyn artist’s posthumous debut LP, Shoot For The Stars, Purpose For The Moon, was launched in July 2020. It included hit data like “What You Know Bout Love,” “Temper Swings,” “The Woo” that includes 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch, and “Bought It On Me.” Pop Smoke was really on the way in which to turning into a mainstay in Hip Hop.
3. Nipsey Hussle
Hussle was murdered exterior his Marathon Clothes Retailer in Los Angeles on March 31, 2019. The person accountable, Eric Holder Jr., was sentenced to 60 years in jail in 2023. The Grammy-nominated artist rose to prominence by way of mixtapes like The Marathon and Crenshaw, the latter of which JAY-Z purchased 100 copies of for $100 a chunk.
In 2018, Hussle launched his debut album, Victory Lap. It boasted pre-release singles and fan-favorites equivalent to “Final Time That I Checc’d” that includes YG, “Grinding All My Life” and “Rap N**gasoline.” Diddy, Kendrick Lamar, Buddy, Dom Kennedy and CeeLo Inexperienced had been among the many extra options.
Hussle was survived by two youngsters — Emani and Kross — and his accomplice, actress Lauren London.
4. Juice WRLD
Juice WRLD died on Dec. 8, 2019, simply six days after his twenty first birthday, following a medical emergency at Chicago’s Halfway Worldwide Airport. He suffered a seizure throughout a federal search of his baggage and was later pronounced lifeless at a hospital.
His girlfriend revealed his Percocet use and drug downside to brokers, resulting in the administration of Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug. Regardless of regaining consciousness, Juice WRLD was declared lifeless on the hospital. The rapper rose to fame with SoundCloud hits like “OLD ME” and “All Women Are The Identical.” His $3 million Interscope Data deal was adopted by his debut album, Goodbye & Good Riddance, that includes the hit “Lucid Goals.” His second album, Demise Race for Love, topped the Billboard 200 chart in 2019. It boasted hit data like “Bandit” with YoungBoy By no means Broke Once more and “Theft.”
5. King Von
King Von was fatally shot on Nov. 6, 2020, exterior Atlanta’s Monaco Hookah Lounge on the age of 26. The incident occurred after a confrontation between the Chicago native’s group and that of rapper Quando Rondo. Timothy “Lul Tim” Leeks was initially charged with the killing.
After posting bond in March 2021, Leeks was anticipated to face trial. Nevertheless, on Aug. 20, 2023, his lawyer Noah Pines introduced the dismissal of all fees. It successfully ended the trial course of and introduced the investigation into Von’s loss of life to a standstill, with the state of Georgia closing the case.
Von’s second posthumous venture got here out in July 2023. Spanning 17 tracks, Grandson contained collaborators from his hometown, equivalent to G Herbo, Polo G and Lil Durk. 42 Dugg, Tee Grizzley, Hotboii and Tink additionally made appearances.
6. Takeoff
Takeoff was killed in a capturing exterior Houston’s 810 Billiards & Bowling on Nov. 1, 2022. The artist was attending a personal occasion along with his uncle and fellow Migos member, Quavo, when a cube sport reportedly escalated into gunfire. Though not concerned within the dispute, Takeoff was fatally hit whereas two others had been left injured.
The Harris County medical expert categorised the incident as a murder. Patrick Xavier Clark was charged with Takeoff’s homicide and launched on a $1 million bond. The rapper’s contributions to Migos included 4 albums and quite a few mixtapes. His solo album, The Final Rocket, got here out in 2018, and his collaborative LP with Quavo, Solely Constructed for Infinity Hyperlinks, debuted in October 2022.
7. Younger Dolph
Younger Dolph was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee whereas visiting Makeda’s Selfmade Cookies on Nov. 17, 2021. Witnesses reported that the assailants, in a white Mercedes-Benz, opened fireplace on the rapper, who was on the town for a turkey giveaway earlier than Thanksgiving. Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith had been indicted on first-degree homicide fees, pleading not responsible within the Shelby County Felony Courtroom.
Born in Chicago and raised in Memphis, Dolph gained recognition with 2014’s “Preach,” adopted by his look on O.T. Genasis’ “Lower It” in 2015. The artist additionally launched fan-favorites such because the T.I.-assisted “Foreva,” “100 Pictures,” “Play Wit Yo’ B**ch” and “Main.”
The town of Memphis honored his legacy by renaming a road Adolph “Younger Dolph” Thornton, Jr. Avenue and declaring Nov. 17 the Dolph Day of Service. The late Memphis legend left behind seven albums and a number of other mixtapes, together with 2021’s Dum and Dummer 2 with frequent collaborator Key Glock.
8. Mac Miller
Even years after Miller’s loss of life on Sept. 7, 2018, his affect on the music trade and followers alike continues. The rapper died from an unintentional overdose involving alcohol, cocaine and fentanyl-laced oxycodone, as reported by the LA County Coroner’s Workplace. Stephen Walter, one of many people who equipped the “Weekend” hitmaker with the deadly medication, was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in jail.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Miller gained fame within the early 2010s and was a part of the XXL Freshman Class of 2011, alongside artists like Kendrick Lamar and Meek Mill. The 12 months earlier than that, he put out Okay.I.D.S., which spawned fan-favorites equivalent to “Nikes On My Toes” and “The Spins.”
Miller’s closing album, Swimming, was launched simply weeks earlier than his passing and was RIAA-certified double platinum in 2023. It housed data like “Self Care” and “Come Again to Earth.” His property has preserved his legacy by means of vinyl releases for Faces and Macadelic (tenth Anniversary Version).
9. Speaker Knockerz
Speaker Knockerz was discovered lifeless at age 19 in his Columbia, South Carolina residence on March 6, 2014. The artist rose to recognition by way of hit data like “Lonely” and “Freak H**,” which collectively amassed 270 million views on YouTube.
He started his music profession as a beatmaker, producing Meek Mill’s “Tony Montana” in addition to Gucci Mane and Younger Scooter’s “Re Up.” Knockerz went on to launch a number of tasks of his personal, together with Married to the Cash. “Cash,” “Flexin & Finessin” and his “Rico Story” trilogy had been amongst his different standout data.
It was initially reported that Knockerz had a coronary heart assault induced by a codeine syrup overdose. Nevertheless, his mom addressed hypothesis over his loss of life throughout a 2023 interview with the “Drea O Present.” She said, “That’s not what occurred to him.” Since his passing, artists like Soulja Boy, Kevin Gates, Lil Tecca and OhGeesy have paid homage to the late rapper.
10. XXXTENTACION
XXXTENTACION was killed throughout a theft exterior of a Deerfield Seaside, Florida automotive retailer on June 18, 2018. Three males — Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome — had been discovered responsible of first-degree homicide and armed theft. The incident occurred because the then-20-year-old artist left RIVA Motorsports, the place the assailants blocked his automobile, shot him and fled with $50,000 in money.
He rose to fame along with his 2015 viral hit “Take a look at Me,” which was RIAA-certified five-times platinum in 2023. X’s 2018 album, ?, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, with the only “SAD!” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100. Posthumously, the musician’s property put out Skins in December 2018 and Unhealthy Vibes Eternally in 2019.
11. Lil Keed
Lil Keed sadly died at 24 years previous from eosinophilia, as reported by the LA County Medical Examiner’s Workplace. In 2022, Lil Keed sought hospital care in LA for extreme abdomen ache, however his situation deteriorated with a number of organ failures, resulting in his loss of life.
Two years prior, the Atlanta rapper launched his second studio album, Trapped On Cleveland 3, to constructive fan reception. It housed “She Know” that includes Lil Child and “Wavy (Remix)” with Travis Scott. Further options included Younger Thug, Quavo, Yak Gotti and Gunna. He beforehand spawned quite a lot of hit data, like “Anonymous” and “HBS.”
Outdoors of his solo work, Lil Keed appeared on YSL Data’ Slime Language 2 compilation. He joined forces with Massive Sean on “Warrior” and Gunna on “Got here Out.”
12. PnB Rock
PnB Rock was fatally shot throughout a theft at a Roscoe’s Home of Hen ‘N Waffles in LA on Sept. 12, 2022. Eating with girlfriend Stephanie Sibounheuang, the Philadelphia native was allegedly focused for his jewellery. Sadly, he was pronounced lifeless at a close-by hospital after being struck a number of occasions.
Freddie Lee Trone and his son had been charged in reference to the killing after the pair reportedly noticed PnB Rock getting into the eatery. Trone’s spouse can also be dealing with fees associated to the crime.
PnB Rock gained fame along with his 2014 mixtape, Actual N**ga Bangaz. Later, he launched “Fleek” and secured a cope with Atlantic Data quickly after. Moreover, his hit “Egocentric” reached No. 51 on the Scorching 100 chart. In 2017, he landed on XXL’s Freshman Class alongside the likes of Ugly God, XXXTENTACION and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, to call a couple of.
13. Enchanting
One other rising artist signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 Data, Enchanting died at 26 years previous in 2024. The Texas-based rapper’s loss of life was dominated an unintentional overdose involving oxycodone and benzodiazepines — the latter is usually prescribed for anxiousness and despair.
Within the wake of the “Monitor & Subject” artist’s passing, former collaborators and shut associates equivalent to Gloss Up, Kaliii, Monaleo and Gucci Mane himself took to social media to recollect her. Simply two years earlier, she had launched her major-label debut, No Luv, adopted by its deluxe version, Luv Scarred / No Luv, the following 12 months.
14. Foolio
Being a rapper typically means turning into a high-profile goal, and sadly, Foolio discovered himself in hurt’s means in June 2024. The Florida native was shot a number of occasions whereas celebrating his twenty sixth birthday in Tampa, with three individuals struggling accidents within the course of.
In January 2025, Davion Murphy was arrested because the final suspect within the rapper’s homicide. Based on investigators, he was recognized as certainly one of three shooters, the opposite two being Sean Gathright and Rashad Murphy. Two extra suspects — Alicia Andrews and Isaiah Probability — had been additionally arrested in reference to the homicide.
Nevertheless, Foolio was no stranger to murders or makes an attempt on his life. He notably wrote, “A number of makes an attempt on my life, [but] I maintain surviving” in his announcement for Resurrection months earlier than his passing. Plus, he often spoke loads about deaths and murders in his music.
15. OG Maco
In December 2024, OG Maco handed away after spending 14 days within the hospital as a consequence of an self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was simply 32 years previous. His supervisor, Poppa Perc, reportedly revealed that the Georgia expertise shot himself in a suicide try.
OG Maco was one of many first artists signed to High quality Management Data and achieved huge success with 2014’s “U Guessed It.” He then went on to launch data like “12 Bricks” and the Migos-assisted “F**KEMX3” earlier than touchdown on XXL’s Freshman Class checklist in 2015. The Legends Dwell Eternally r apper even based his personal label, Originality Good points Greatness, which briefly signed Doja Cat.
In his life, OG Maco delt along with his justifiable share of challenges. He misplaced his eye in a near-fatal automotive accident in 2016 and was identified with a skin-eating illness referred to as necrotizing fasciitis in 2019, which affected his face and scalp.
16. Wealthy Homie Quan
Thought to be one of many greatest names in Hip Hop within the 2010s, Wealthy Homie Quan left a big mark on the style earlier than he handed at age 34. Relations confirmed his premature loss of life in September 2024, which was later attributed to an unintentional overdose.
The previous Motown Data signee was most well-known for hits like “Sort of Method,” “Life-style” and his 3x platinum-certified “Flex (Ooh, OOh, OOh).” In truth, he first rose to fame with the first-mentioned monitor, which marked his first entry into the Scorching 100 chart. The Atlanta-based expertise additionally gave us legendary tasks like Wealthy As In Spirit and I Promise I Will By no means Cease Going In.
An inflow of artists paid tribute to the Coma creator upon the information of his loss of life, together with Boosie Badazz Jacquees, Playboi Carti and Quavo. His father, Corey Lamar, later informed WSB-TV that Quan had “simply accomplished a 20- or 25-song venture,” and was “within the strategy of scheduling two video shoots” earlier than he handed.