Regrettably, the hip-hop community continues to face roadblocks. De La Soul’s Trugoy the Dove, Coolio, DJ Kay Slay, and others will be missed by their legions of fans.
Many hip-hop artists have died as a result of various illnesses, while others have been murdered. Take, for example, XXXTentacion (real name: Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy) (real name: Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy).
XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, was a hugely influential and contentious figure in hip-hop. Prior to his death, Onfroy was widely regarded as one of the most promising young hip-hop artists, having influenced artists such as Billie Eilish and Juice Wrld. He died when he was only 20 years old.
On Thursday, the three men convicted of the murder of hip-hop artist XXXTentacion were sentenced to life in prison.
On March 20, rapper Jahseh Onfroy was shot and killed; Michael Boatwright, then 28, Trayvon Newsome, then 24, and Williams, then 26, were found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery.
They admitted in court to plotting and carrying out an ambush on the rapper’s BMW SUV on June 18, 2018, and shooting him through the driver’s side window.
Career
He met other rappers in juvenile detention after the 2013 release of “Gun/Flock,” including Ski Mask the Slump God. Following that, he began releasing music on SoundCloud as XXXTentacion. Tentacion is the Spanish word for “temptation.” After forming the collective “Members Only,” Onfroy released his first EP, “The Fall,” in 2014.
Onfroy launched his “The Revenge Tour” in 2017. Several incidents occurred during the tour, including stabbings and fistfights. Following the release of his first solo mixtape, “Revenge,” he released a music video for the song “Look at Me.” His debut solo album, “17,” was triple platinum.
What happened next for XXXTentacion?
Let us all pray! XXXTentacion’s family has been dealing with the stress of his murder trial for the past few weeks.
On June 18, 2021, XXXTentacion tragically died after leaving a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Two masked gunmen approached the 20-year-old while he was in his vehicle, according to the outlet. One of them shot a rapper multiple times before stealing his cash-filled Louis Vuitton duffel bag and driving away in an SUV.
Onfroy went to RIVA Motorsports, a high-end boat and motorcycle dealer in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on the afternoon of June 18th, 2018, around 3:30 p.m. He began his day by withdrawing money from his bank. After leaving the store, he drove his car out of the parking lot. However, an SUV pulled in front of him, making it impossible for him to exit.
After exiting the SUV, the men demanded Onfroy’s bag and chain and threatened him. They took a $50,000 Louis Vuitton bag and the chain with it. During the altercation, Onfroy’s uncle, who had gone with him to look at motorcycles, fled the scene.
A man appeared out of nowhere in front of Onfroy’s car, pulled out a rifle, and fired six shots. The bullets struck Onfroy in the neck. They then bolted.
Broward County firefighters arrived and transported Onfroy to Broward Health North. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him at the hospital; they were briefly able to regain vital signs, but Onfroy’s condition quickly deteriorated.
The fourth suspect
Robert Allen, 26, a fourth suspect, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last year and testified against his former friends. Allen testified that he and the three other men planned the robbery after discovering the rapper in Riva Motorsports in Fort Lauderdale’s suburbs. His sentence is still pending.
Prosecutor Pascale Achille asked Judge Michael Usan to impose an additional 30-year sentence on Boatwright for violating the terms of his probation before his sentencing on Thursday. She argued that his “abhorrent behaviour” in court required him to serve his life sentence consecutively.
According to the judge, Williams, who initially identified the rapper inside the dealership, astounded the court with his behaviour following the murder.
What was XXXTentacion’s net worth?
American rapper XXXTentacion tragically died in June 2018, leaving behind a reported $5 million in assets. Many people identified with “XXX” because of his distinct sound. His music incorporated elements of emo, trap, indie rock, nu-metal, hip-hop, and punk rock.
XXXTentacion’s life has been marked by legal issues since he was a child when he was sent to a juvenile detention centre and inspired to begin writing music. Legal issues plagued XXXTentacion’s life, and the rapper spent time in jail on multiple occasions.
Moreover, the robbers fled with a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 in cash after shooting the rapper. His death was a tragic loss to the hip-hop community, and the news devastated many of XXX’s fans.
Statements
“A person with any measure of human decency or remorse for killing someone would not be seen dancing around and filming themselves with stolen money about how proud they were,” Usan said. “The next day, when you went to spend that blood money on sneakers and jerseys”.
RIVA Motorsports surveillance footage clearly showed the SUV driven by the killers following Onfroy. According to authorities, Allen and Williams went into the store after Onfroy and his uncle to ensure they had the right victim. They left the store after purchasing two black masks and waited in the parking lot for Onfroy.
Authorities had no idea who had committed the murder at first. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has announced a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the murderers. Local rappers Soldier Kidd and Soldier Jojo were among the first suspects.
Arrests
On June 20th, 2018, police stopped a silver 2004 Honda for no apparent reason. The driver’s name was Dedrick Devonshay Williams, and he was 22 years old. Police became suspicious when they noticed Williams dressed similarly to one of the men in the surveillance footage. This outfit included an edgy orange tank top and white sandals. RIVA employees recognised Williams as one of the male customers who had come in to purchase a mask.
The Trial
As of December 2022, the four men’s trial was still ongoing. He initially denied any involvement in Onfroy’s death, but later admitted it. However, he further said he was sick with guilt over the rapper’s death and was too afraid to speak up for fear of being labelled a “snitch”.
He is also charged with premeditated first-degree murder. Trayvon Newsome, the fourth suspect, was apprehended in early August 2018 and charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery.
Early Days of XXXtentacion
Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was born in Plantation, Florida on January 23, 1998. He attempted to stab a man who was attacking his mother when he was six years old, demonstrating a proclivity for violence.
At the time, XXX began learning the guitar and piano and became obsessed with rock and nu-metal. Onfroy dropped out of high school in the tenth grade due to feelings of insecurity and depression.
Conclusion
Fans quickly erected a memorial near the site of Onfroy’s death. The case sparked widespread shock and outrage because the perpetrators were still at large. Fans on social media aided Florida police, many of whom were eager to follow the threads of high-profile figures with whom Onfroy had feuds.
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