‘Your favourite rappers are only alive because of our sacrifices’: the secret life of rap bodyguards
From 2Pac in the 90s to XXXTentacion and more in recent years, murder is frequent in the US rap scene. The men trying to protect the artists explain the physical and psychological toll
March 2023
XXXTentacion: three men found guilty of murdering rapper
Performer was shot outside a motorcycle shop in Florida in 2018 and robbed of $50,000
May 2022
‘Every day was an ethical quandary’: telling the difficult story of XXXTentacion
The late rapper, who was killed at the age of 20, was known for both his captivating music and a history of violence, a troubling legacy explored in a new documentary
February 2022
Ye: Donda 2 review – desultory soundtrack for a social media circus
Flashes of genius from the artist formerly known as Kanye West are lost amid unrefined production and tedious barbs at his estranged wife
March 2020
‘I never got to thank him’: fans mourn a generation of rappers dying young
Rap’s young stars connect with their audience on a deep emotional level – so it’s especially devastating when they die, as those fans explain
November 2019
Why fans want constant ‘content’ from their musical heroes – even in the afterlife
Music from late stars such as Mac Miller and Lil Peep prove that younger audiences don’t share the same reservations over posthumous releases
January 2019
XXXTentacion's son born seven months after rapper's death
Gekyume Onfroy’s birth announced by rapper’s mother; XXXTentacion was shot dead in apparent robbery attempt
December 2018
2019 in pop culture: from Adele’s 30 to ‘zapping’ your TV
XXXTentacion: Skins review – genre-shredding to the last
XXXTentacion: Skins review – a toxic legacy
Drake, Post Malone and XXXTentacion are most-streamed artists of 2018 on Spotify
October 2018
Why XXXTentacion's violent confession matters after his death
Gary Suarez
Fans rushed to defend the troubled star, who denied abusing his former partner, but a secret recording now shows otherwise
July 2018
XXXTentacion: four men charged with rapper's murder
Controversial Florida rapper was shot dead, aged 20, while leaving a motorcycle shop on last month
June 2018
The cult of XXXTentacion: how fans pay tribute to an abusive rapper
Suspect arrested in rapper XXXTentacion's shooting death
First thoughts
XXXTentacion’s brutal life points to the problem with UK drug policy
Suzanne Moore
XXXTentacion: a hyperfast life of trauma, endured and inflicted
Rapper XXXTentacion shot dead in Florida
Spotify removes 'hate conduct' policy after backlash
May 2018
Spotify to review its 'hateful conduct' policy following industry criticism
Streaming platform will reinstate XXXTentacion’s music to playlists after artists including Kendrick Lamar threaten to pull their work
