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Lil Peep dead: Diplo, Zane Lowe, Lil B, Lil Yachty and more pay tribute

He was 21

Christopher Hooton
Thursday 16 November 2017 10:14 GMT
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Rapper Lil Peep dies age 21

The hip-hop community is in shock after rising star rapper Lil Peep died aged 21 following a reported drug overdose.

Blending alt-rock with rap, Lil Peep - real name Gustav Åhr - was hailed as "the future of emo" by Pitchfork in January.

He is thought to have overdosed before a show in Tucson, and posted a photo on Instagram hours before his death appearing to show pills or tabs on his tongue.

Update: Peep's team said in a statement: "He was highly intelligent, hugely creative, massively charismatic, gentle and charming. He had huge ambition and his career was flourishing."

"I’ve been expecting this call for a year. Mother f**k," his manager Chase Ortega tweeted.

"Peep had so much more to do," producer Diplo wrote, with radio DJ Zane Lowe adding: "So young. So sad."

"Peep was the nicest person," wrote Dutch dance music producer Marshmello. "Hanging out with him, talking to him about music, the song ideas we were going to do together and touring was so amazing. Everyone will miss you man."

Åhr had been due to perform at a show in Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday night as he toured to promote his first album, Come Over When You're Sober.

His best-known song was 'Star Shopping', his lyrics referencing depression and drug use, and he had spoken openly about addictions to cocaine, ecstasy and prescription tranquilliser Xanax.

"I am a depressed drug addict and I'm nearing my breaking point," he tweeted in February. "Everything I love is disappearing."

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The day of his death, he wrote on Instagram: "When I die You'll love me."

Sarah Stennett of First Access Entertainment, a company which had been working with Peep, confirmed his death, adding: "I do not believe Peep wanted to die. He had big goals and dreams for the future which he had shared with me, his team, his family and his friends."

If you're struggling with drug use or need advice you can talk to FRANK on 0300 123 6600 (UK). Whatever else you may be going through, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK).

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