Musicians have expressed their condolences after the death of rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot dead today in Florida.
Artists including Kanye West, Pusha-T, and J. Cole have taken to social media to voice their appreciation for the 20-year-old born Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1008839504902307840
R.I.P. @xxxtentacion 🙏🏿
— King Push (@PUSHA_T) June 18, 2018
This got me fucked up. RIP X. Enormous talent and limitless potential and a strong desire to be a better person. God bless his family, friends and fans.
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) June 18, 2018
Thanks for inspiring me. pic.twitter.com/BmX3ya6Hmx
— diplo (@diplo) June 18, 2018
At a loss, prayers for XXXtentacion 🙏
— Mula (@youngmoney) June 19, 2018
Life isn’t promised.
— C.V Thomas (@lilyachty) June 18, 2018
We must support his legacy.
— C.V Thomas (@lilyachty) June 18, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkLmBSyH2fv/?taken-by=xanxiety
Amid those comments from his peers and fans XXXTentacion quickly amassed during his short career, other social media users have recirculated the shocking allegations of domestic abuse laid against him.
In particular, a tweet from unlikely fan Louis Theroux has prompted social media users to remind others of the sickening history of alleged abuse.
Notwithstanding personal demons, he was a huge talent & bringing a beautiful new feel to hip hop. So sad. #moonlight https://t.co/E2UYdFMkfz
— Louis Theroux (@louistheroux) June 18, 2018
XXXTentacion’s ex-girlfriend Geneva Ayala alleged that he savagely beat her when she was pregnant in 2016, causing her to temporarily lose her vision. She says she escaped their home two days after that incident and went to the police, leading to his arrest for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, domestic battery by strangulation, and false imprisonment, among other charges.
Ayala used a deposition to allege he regularly beat her, choked her, held knives against her, and forced her head under water while threatening to drown her.
He plead not guilty and was granted bail, but was quickly detained for violating the terms of a previous house arrest agreement for 2015 robbery and assault charges. He spent nearly six months behind bars while his single Look At Me! began climbing the charts.
After his release in 2017, Ayala signed documents saying she would not testify against him in court. However, in December, prosecutors argued XXXTentacion may have coerced his ex-girlfriend into signing the papers.
He was slapped with seven new felony charges, including witness tampering and witness harassment, and was jailed. Again, he was released on house arrest, which was amended so he could tour in support of his new album this year.
He denied the abuse allegations throughout, and was still awaiting trial over those charges at the time of his death.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of his death, and have called for anyone with information to step forward.
If you or someone you know is dealing with issues around sexual violence or domestic or family violence, you can call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732, the Mens Helpline on 1300 78 99 78, or the Kids Helpline (ages 5 to 25) on 1800 55 1800. If you are in distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
