Rapper XXXTentacion Shot Dead in Florida

Police have not released a motive in the up-and-comer's murder
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 18, 2018 6:30 PM CDT
Rapper XXXTentacion Shot Dead in Florida
This undated mugshot released by the Miami- Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Department shows rapper XXXTentacion   (Miami- Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Department via AP)

Troubled rapper-singer XXXTentacion was shot and killed Monday in Florida, authorities said. The 20-year-old rising star, whose real name is Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, was pronounced dead Monday evening at a Fort Lauderdale-area hospital, the Broward Sheriff's Office said. He was shot earlier Monday outside a Deerfield Beach motorcycle dealership. XXXTentacion had been at RIVA Motorsports checking out inventory, the sheriff's office said. He was in his 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-colored SUV. Investigators don't have a motive, and no arrests have been made. XXXTentacion notched a No. 1 album last month with his sophomore effort, ?, and had a top 10 hit with "Sad!" but was facing trial on charges that he beat up his pregnant girlfriend.

XXXTentacion racked up huge streaming numbers—on Spotify, "Sad!" had more than 270 million streams. He also has several songs that have been declared platinum, including "Changes," ''Roll in Peace" with fellow rapper Kodak Black, and "Look at Me!" But much of his brief career has been mired in controversy. In 2016, he was arrested on charges including home invasion, and less than a month later was arrested on charges that he attacked his girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time, and was jailed; he later faced more charges including witness tampering. He was released from jail on house arrest late last year and released from house arrest earlier this year to allow him to tour. XXXTentacion was initially one of two artists Spotify removed from its promoted playlists in May in accordance with its new policy on hateful music and conduct. Spotify later reinstated XXXTentacion's music.

(More xxxtentacion stories.)

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