Rap Culture – Six Artists Who Passed Away Too Soon

6 Artists Who Passed Away Too Soon


The harsh reality of the music industry is that tragedy can strike at any time. These artists are under a lot of pressure and are exposed to danger and temptation every day.


Honoring the artists who died too soon is one of the best things we can do as fans, and it’s our responsibility to ensure their legacies live on for years to come.

Sadly there are too many great artists to acknowledge on one shortlist, so we’ve narrowed it down to the six rappers we think deserve to be celebrated after their departure.

 

POP SMOKE

Hailing from Brooklyn, Bashar Jackson was better known as Pop Smoke, a hard-working and innovative rapper with a bright future ahead.

He had released dozens of bangers before the age of 21 and was rising up the charts rapidly before he was involved in a Hollywood shooting in February of 2020.

It’s heartbreaking to think of what Pop could have accomplished in the long run, but we can still enjoy his music and influence on the industry.

 

LIL PEEP

Despite his crazy lifestyle and tattoos, Lil Peep was someone that fans really related to. His music was personal and he had undeniable charisma for his age.

Even though his career was making huge leaps, he still found himself in a bad way, and drugs took over to mask the pain. He was announced dead in 2017 at the age of 21.

Peep is still a fan favorite in the emo-rap genre, and he will always be recognized as a true innovator for others to follow.

 

XXX TENTACION

There was no shortage of controversy surrounding XXX Tentacion, who was shot and killed in 2018 at the young age of 20. 

His music still attracted fans all over the world, and his tribute post on Instagram is one of the most liked pages on the entire social media platform.

Hopefully, young rappers will learn from the victories and tragedies of X’s life and carve a better path forward as they navigate the game.

 

MAC MILLER

It seems like Mac Miller evolved from a punky Pittsburgh kid into a hip hop megastar in the blink of any eye! He was a fan favorite who toured constantly and pushed his creative boundaries.

But like so many other innovators, Mac was taken away from us way too soon. He died of an accidental overdose in 2018, a day that his fans will never forget.

We’re happy to have a wide library of music to look back fondly on his career, including a well-received posthumous album called Circles released this year.

 

NIPSEY HUSSLE

One of the true California kings of rap, Nipsey Hussle was only 33 when he was shot down in front of his own Los Angeles clothing store in 2019.

Known for his swaggy style and community outreach, Nipsey’s loss was a blow to the LA hip hop scene. He was honored on social media by many major players in the game.

Stroll around his old neighborhoods and you will see murals and signs dedicated to the influential figure.

 

JUICE WRLD

When the sad news started to spread around the web, fans were in disbelief. Everyone was wondering is Juice Wrld dead? How could it be true?

Turns out, the acclaimed rapper had indeed passed away, leaving friends, family, and fans in total disarray. 

The 2020 release of Legends Never Die was one of the biggest posthumous albums ever and was a fitting tribute to this beloved superstar! Juice will always be missed. 

For more lists about your favorite stars past and present, stay linked to RapTV.

 

 

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