How Did Lil Peep Die? The Tragic Story of the Young Rapper's Death

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Lil Peep is one of the most beloved rappers of our era. The “Star Shopping” rapper was popular from the time he hit the scene in 2014 until his untimely death in 2017.

How did Lil Peep die? Were the murder charges valid, or was it suicide?

Keep reading to find the truth about what happened.

Who is Lil Peep?

Lil Peep was the stage name of Swedish-American singer and rapper Gustav Elijah Ahr. He became famous in the mid-late 2010s for his emo-rap style.

With his unique music touching on personal topics, he became an icon for outcast youths and subcultures.

Peep’s emotional songs and downtrodden lyrics made her an underground sensation. He had over 80,000 fans on SoundCloud, 112,000 followers on Instagram, and even made it onto Pitchfork’s ‘Best Songs of the Year’ list in 2016.

lil peep performing — Lil Peep & Fat Nick live in Texas, 11.30.16. Image by Dink on Wikimedia Commons.

Why was he called Lil’ Peep?

Although he started making music under the name Trap Goose,’= he later changed his name to Lil Peep.

This was his childhood nickname. His mother would call him ‘Peep’ when he was younger.

Which Song Made Lil Peep Famous?

Lil Peep’s second mixtape, Crybaby, brought him massive media attention and established him as a rising star in the music industry.

The mixtape featured the hit single “The Brightside,” considered one of his top pieces. It gained him recognition and followers and was one of the most streamed tracks on Soundcloud.

His single “Benz Truck,” released in 2016, also helped establish him as a rising star in the music industry.

The song was well-received by his fans and helped him grow his fanbase. It went on to have over 20 million streams on Spotify alone.

The music video is a piece of goth-pop art. It features him wearing a neon fur coat while leaning on a gravestone and wearing a Benz cap while popping out of a Benz Truck sunroof.

The striking colors and costumes in this video make it a must-watch.

Was Lil Peep a Mumble Rapper?

Yes, Lil’ Peep does come under the umbrella of mumble rap artists, along with Lil Pump, 21 Savage, and Trippie Redd.

In contrast to the name, mumble rap doesn’t mean you mumble; it’s the term used for artists with a lack of lyricism in their songs and a focus on auto-tune, unconventional rhythms, and hard-to-understand lyrics. Many of Lil Peep’s songs did have similarities with mumble rap. Still, he also had some differentiating features such as clear singing, guitar riffs, and personal lyrics, which makes him stand out from the typical mumble rappers.

Lil Peep’s Issues with Addiction

Lil Peep was open about his struggles with depression, anxiety, and drug addiction.

His music also reflected heartbreak, loneliness, and self-destructive behavior, resonating with many of his fans who also struggled with similar issues.

Peep’s vulnerability and honesty in his music made him a relatable figure for them.

When Did Lil Peep Die?

Lil Peep tragically passed away on November 15, 2017.

How Old Was Peep When He Died?

Lil Peep was only 21 years old when he passed away from a lethal combination of drugs.

How Did Lil Peep Die?

On November 15, 2017, the music world was shocked and saddened by the news that Lil Peep had passed away.

He was found unresponsive on his tour bus outside The Rock in Tucson, Arizona, where he was going to perform that evening.

Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was determined a drug overdose, specifically from a combination of fentanyl and Xanax.

What Was Lil Peep on When He Died?

Toxicology reports showed that he’d taken a combination of fentanyl and Xanax, which proved fatal.

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine, and Xanax is a prescription drug used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

Opioids are drugs such as heroin, fentanyl codeine, morphine, etc. Mixing them with benzodiazepines such as Xanax has fatal consequences. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, which controls breathing and other vital functions.

Taking them together can cause a person’s breathing to slow down or stop completely. This can block oxygen from going to the brain and vital organs.

In the hours before his death, Lil Peep made several posts on Instagram about the drugs he was taking. He mentioned smoking cannabis and taking ‘magic mushrooms.’

In a video, he took around six white pills, which were presumably Xanax.

Hours before he died, he posted on Instagram with the caption, “I need help but not when I have my pills, but that’s temporary; one day maybe I won’t die young, and I’ll be happy.”

When his manager woke him up a couple of hours before his performance but he wasn’t breathing. He tried to revive home with CPR, but unfortunately, Lil’ Peep died before the medics arrived.

After his death, his mother filed death charges against her son’s management team for ‘negligence which contributed to his death.’

However, his management responded by saying they “consistently encouraged Peep to stop abusing drugs,” and they had no contractual responsibility for the singer’s personal life.

Lil Peep’s death was a tragic loss for the music community, and his fans worldwide were heartbroken.

He was just 21 years old when he died and had already established himself as a rising star in the industry with his unique blend of hip-hop, emo, and rock influences.

His music was deeply personal, and many of his fans related to the struggles he sang about.

In an interview with The Times, he said his fans told him that his music saved their lives and stopped them from committing suicide, which is a beautiful thing.

The incident was certainly a wake-up call for many people, especially those in the entertainment industry, about the effects of addiction. It was a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and addiction and the devastating effects it can have on people’s lives.

Fans and fellow musicians alike took to social media to express their grief, and many shared their memories of Lil Peep’s music, which continues to live on. His death reminds us of the importance of seeking help if you, or someone you know, is struggling with addiction.

lil peep drug additction — Lil Peep in 2016. Image by Miller Rodriguez on Wikimedia Commons.

What Did Lil Peep Suffer From?

Lil’ Peep’s songs often touched on depression, drug abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

A close friend said that he desired to “give a voice to people that suffer from anxiety and depression, people who have been abused, bullied, and the people who were misunderstood like him. He had demons of his own, and he faced those demons by creating music.”

He talked pretty openly about his depression on social media. However, he didn’t take therapy or medications for his depression.

Although his friends and family told him not to, he chose to smoke marijuana and take other drugs instead.

Who Did Lil Peep Date?

Lil Peep had several relationships during his career.

He was dating Arzaylea Rodriguez, an Instagram model and social media star, at the time of his death.

He also dated Bella Thorne, an American actress and singer, in 2017. The two of them were open about their relationship on social media, and their fans enjoyed following their love story.

Lil Peep had also been linked to celebrities and models like Emma Harris and Instagram star Meghan, who both were considered close friends of Lil Peep and who were seen hanging out together.

Who Owns Lil Peep’s Music Now?: Lil Peep’s Legacy

Lil Peep’s music is currently owned by his estate, which is managed by his mother, Liza Womack, and his brother, Karl Ahr.

They oversee the distribution and promotion of his music, as well as other assets such as copyrights, royalty streams, and intellectual property.

After his death, his estate has released several posthumous projects such as Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 and Everybody’s Everything, a compilation of his best songs.

They’ve also released collabs with other artists and some merch with Lil Peep’s image. All of this has been done to keep his legacy alive and honor his music.