Lil Peep, 'Emo' Rapper With Cult Following, Dead at 21

Sources say up and coming star may have overdosed
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 16, 2017 10:02 AM CST
Rapper Lil Peep Dead at 21
Lil Peep is shown in one of his music videos.   (YouTube)

Rapper Lil Peep has died at age 21, the AP reports. A representative for the performer confirmed reports of his death Thursday. Lil Peep, whose real name was Gustav Ahr and whose stage name came from a childhood nickname his mother gave him, didn't take the stage during his scheduled concert in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday night. TMZ reports he was found dead in his tour bus outside the venue and that it's possible he overdosed. The Guardian reports that shortly before his death, the rapper posted a video to Instagram talking about taking six Xanax. In a statement, First Access Entertainment CEO Sarah Stennett says she is "shocked and heartbroken." Stennett says she spoke with Ahr's mother, who asked her to convey "that she is very, very proud of him and everything he was able to achieve in his short life."

Ahr's emotional, downtrodden lyrics gained a cult following through a series of mixtapes released online; the New York Times says he "blended hip-hop and emo" and was one of the most promising young stars on the pop scene. Born in Pennsylvania and raised on Long Island, he eventually moved to Los Angeles and joined several rap collectives, Pitchfork reports. He released his debut project on SoundCloud in 2015 and went on to release mixtapes and videos that got millions of views. Many of his songs were recorded in his bedroom while he lived on LA's Skid Row; his lyrics often addressed his struggles with drug use and suicidal thoughts. He had just released his debut album in August. His numerous tattoos and striking appearance caught the attention of the fashion world: GQ reported earlier this year that he made runway appearances for multiple labels in Europe. (More celebrity death stories.)

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