(CNN) 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.
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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 was under house arrest while he awaited trial on battery and harassment charges, according to Miami-Dade court documents.
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.
rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏 I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here thank you for existing pic.twitter.com/QU7DR3Ghbw — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) June 18, 2018
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."
Prayers up for 🙏🏿 @xxxtentacion — juicy j (@therealjuicyj) June 18, 2018
Juicy J also shared his thoughts in two short tweets saying ""Prayers up for @xxxtentacion" and "R.I.P. Xxxtentacion."
Really sad Rip xxx.. so sad to lose good artist. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 — T-Raww (@Tyga) June 18, 2018
Tyga, a California rapper signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment, said it's "so sad to lose good artist" via Twitter.
My heart dropped when I heard about @xxxtentacion, I feel like we only got to see a glimpse of his artistry. 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 — Sean Don (@BigSean) June 19, 2018
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."
UPDATED: Rapper XXXTentacion has died following a shooting in South Florida, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. He was 20.
The adult male victim has been confirmed as 20 year old Jahseh Onfroy aka rapper #XXXTentacion. — Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) June 18, 2018
According to police, XXX was leaving a RIVA Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, Fla., shortly before 4 p.m. when he was approached by two armed suspects. At least one of the suspects shot XXX, and they both fled in an SUV. Investigators say it appeared to be a possible robbery.
XXX was transferred to Broward Health North, where was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing.
Earlier in the day, a source had told Variety that the rapper, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, has been critically wounded. TMZ first reported that XXX had “no pulse” following the incident.
A Broward County official initially said there was “a developing incident regarding a shooting” located in Deerfield Beach, about 43 miles north of Miami, in which an “adult male victim was transported to an area hospital.” That 20-year-old male was later identified as Jahseh Onfroy, aka s XXXTentacion.
Says Caroline Records, XXXTentacion’s label, in a statement to Variety: “Everyone at Caroline is shocked to learn of the tragic death of Jahseh Onfroy, professionally known as XXXTentacion. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. “
In 2017, the hip-hop newcomer appeared on the cover of XXL Magazine’s influential “Freshman” issue alongside Kamaiyah, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, PnB Rock, MadeinTYO, Playboi Carti, Aminé, Kap G, KYLE and Ugly God. XXX won the fan vote to make the cover.
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The 20-year-old Florida native has been embroiled in legal problems over his alleged beating of a girlfriend while pregnant. The controversy has resulted in numerous articles calling for the greater music industry to not “co-sign,” or endorse, his music, including one that was published by Pitchfork titled, “XXXTentacion Is Blowing Up Behind Bars. Should He Be?”
XXX was also one of the artists to spur a “hateful conduct” ban on Spotify — since revoked — which removed his music from popular playlists like Rap Caviar. Hours after his death, XXXTentacion claimed the top two spots on the playlist, with songs from “?,” along with a tag at the top that read, “Rest In Peace, XXXTENTACION.”
A June 5 feature on the rapper that appeared in Miami New Times chronicled the hip-hop star’s rise to fame, delving deep into his unstable home life and trouble with the law. In the piece, XXX is quoted as saying that abuse allegations “can go off hearsay,” and that, “women are almost more powerful than men.”
In March, XXXTentacion’s album “?” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. His previous release, called “17,” landed at No. 2.
XXXTentacion first began creating music after serving time at a youth correction center. In an interview with No Jumper, posted to YouTube in 2016, the rapper detailed parts of his childhood, during which he was removed from his school choir for physically assaulting another student.
The Miami New Times piece also documented another instance in which the rapper was expelled from Margate Middle School after after participating in more physical altercations. XXXTentacion officially left the education system for good when he dropped out of high school after his sophomore year, according to a report by The Beat.
After serving time in prison for false imprisonment and battery of his ex-girlfriend, XXXTentacion returned to the music in 2017 with a re-released version of the song “Look at Me.” The song sparked controversy because of its stylistic similarities to the Drake song “KMT,” leading to allegations that Drake lifted XXXTentaction’s musical property. In interviews, the rapper publicly accused Drake of disrespecting his work.
In a live video recently posted to his Instagram, the rapper expressed his hopes for those he influenced in the event he “die a tragic death.”
“Worst thing comes to worst, I f—in die a tragic death or some s—, 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 at least have a good life,” XXXTentacion said in the video. “If I’m gonna die or ever be a sacrifice, I want to make sure that my life made at least 5 million kids happy.”
XXXTentacion appears at a 2017 event. (Photo: LARRY MARANO/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)
Rapper Xxxtentacion was shot in South Florida on Monday, USA TODAY has confirmed.
The rapper (real name: Jahseh Onfroy) was gunned down outside of a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Fla., the Broward County Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY.
Rescue workers transferred the 20-year-old to North Broward Hospital. At 5:40 p.m. ET, local police tweeted that "the adult male that was taken to the hospital has been pronounced dead."
Authorities in Florida say they're searching for two suspects in the fatal shooting.
XXXTentacion had been at RIVA Motorsports checking out inventory, the sheriff's office said. He was in a black luxury vehicle and preparing to leave when two armed suspects approached him. At least one of them fired, and then both suspects fled the scene in a dark SUV.
Investigators say the shooting may have been a possible robbery.
Xxxtentacion began to gain mainstream attention in early 2017 after uploading his single, "Look at Me!" to Soundcloud. His album "17" landed at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and in March, XXXTentacion’s album “?” debuted at No. 1.
The adult male victim has been confirmed as 20 year old Jahseh Onfroy aka rapper #XXXTentacion. — Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) June 18, 2018
But the Florida native was a controversial figure, and had many run-ins with the law. He was currently awaiting trial on charges including domestic battery, aggravated battery and false imprisonment against his pregnant girlfriend stemming from 2016.
According to the "Miami New Times," his ex Geneva Ayala's depositions "detail a pattern of regular, torturous abuse that summer, with daily verbal attacks and physical incidents every three or four days."
According to Ayala's statement, he beat her at times, choked her, broke clothes hangers on her legs, threatened to chop off her hair or cut out her tongue, pressed knives or scissors to her face, and held her head under water in their bathroom while promising to drown her.
Reaction from the music community came pouring in following news of Xxxtentacion's death.
Kanye West praised Xxxtentacion on social media. "I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here thank you for existing," he tweeted.
rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏 I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here thank you for existing pic.twitter.com/QU7DR3Ghbw — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) June 18, 2018
Tyga said he was "so sad to lose a good artist."
Really sad Rip xxx.. so sad to lose good artist. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 — T-Raww (@Tyga) June 18, 2018
Using NSFW language, J. Cole credited the rapper with "enormous talent and limitless potential and a strong desire to be a better person. God bless his family, friends and fans."
Lil Yachty said: "We must support his legacy."
We must support his legacy. — king of the youth (@lilyachty) June 18, 2018
Jidenna also mourned the loss of the 20-year-old.
"R.I.P @xxxtentacion No one can be so self-righteous that they are happy when a youth dies. The young still have the capability to reform. God bless the kids," he tweeted.
R.I.P @xxxtentacion No one can be so self-righteous that they are happy when a youth dies. The young still have the capability to reform. God bless the kids. #xxxtentacion — Jidenna (@Jidenna) June 18, 2018
Contributing: The Associated Press
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Rapper XXXTentacion has been shot dead.
The Broward County, Florida Sherriff’s Office confirmed the 20-year-old’s death on Monday evening, tweeting: “The adult male that was taken to the hospital has been pronounced dead … The adult male victim has been confirmed as 20 year old Jahseh Onfroy aka rapper #XXXTentacion.”
The rapper was shot outside a motorcycle store in Deerfield Beach, Fla., just before 4.p.m. on Monday. He was transported to a local hospital.
He had been leaving a motorcycle dealership in a car when someone ran up and shot him, according to TMZ. The website also reports that a Louis Vuitton bag was stolen from the vehicle.
Around 4:30 p.m., the sherriff tweeted that cops were “currently working an incident regarding a shooting at 3671 N. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach. PIO headed to scene. Dispatchers received a call of a shooting at 3:57 p.m. An adult male victim was transported to an area hospital.”
The slain rapper had an extensive legal history. At the time of his death he was awaiting trial for domestic violence against a pregnant ex-girlfriend. He was also facing witness harassment and tampering charges.
Despite the controversy, the rapper had developed a loyal following and his second album, “?,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in March.
