Lil Peep has died of an apparent drug overdose. He was just 21-years-old.
Peep, whose real name is Gustav Ahr, died this past Wednesday night. A spokesman for the Tucson Police Department said officers had found evidence suggesting that the rapper died of an overdose of the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. Just one day before his passing, Lil Peep posted a video saying he had taken six Xanax, but he is okay.
The rising emo-rapper was born on Nov. 1, 1996, and was raised in Long Island. He was the son of a college professor and an elementary school teacher. His name--Lil Peep was a childhood nickname given to him by his mother. In interviews, he said his father abandoned their family when he was 14. Shortly after dropping out of high school, Ahr received his diploma through online computer courses. He moved to Los Angeles, where he joined several rap collectives including Schemaposse and Gothboiclique.
He began posting music on YouTube and eventually on SoundCloud, building a huge following. In 2015, he released his debut mixtape, LiL PEEP PART ONE. His videos for songs like "White Wine" and "Girls" picked up millions of views. In August this year, he released his debut album, Come Over When You're Sober (Part One). The final song he released, "Avoid," came out last month.
The young rapper was characterized by his candid approach to drug use and mental illness. His struggles with drugs and suicidal impulses dated back to his teenage years, he told the New York Times. The words "Get Cake Die Young" were tattooed on his forehead. The openness with which he spoke about his difficulties, led to an intense connection with his fans.
