Fans mourn slain rapper XXXTentacion at memorial
FORT LAUDERDALE — Loudspeakers blasted songs by the late rapper XXXTentacion as thousands of fans chanting his lyrics lined up for hours in a Florida arena to see the performer laid out in a casket, two braids flowing over the side.
XXXTentacion was gunned down last week at the age of 20 in what police said was an apparent robbery. His sudden death shocked fans and unleashed praise for a rapper described as both a gift and troubled figure in the world of music.
XXXTentacion, who sported dreadlocks and facial tattoos and who pronounced his name “Ex ex ex ten-ta-seeYAWN,” was a platinum-selling rising star who tackled issues including prejudice and depression in his songs. He also drew criticism over bad behavior and multiple arrests, including charges that he severely beat and abused his girlfriend.
On Wednesday, security guards flanked the casket, which was surrounded by black roses and silver leaves as a row of spotlights lit the stage at the 20,000-seat BB&T Center in Sunrise. Family members and friends gathered in a roped-off area and wore black T-shirts that read “Bad” on the front and “No more pain” on the back.
The somber crowd grew rowdy as popular songs came on and many started jumping and raising their hands in the air as they shouted lyrics. On the way into the arena as well as on stage near the casket, many fans wept openly, held hands and hugged each other.
A fan who identified himself as Choice Bison said on his way in that XXXTentacion stood for hope and energy.
“What was his gift? Fearlessness. Fearlessness,” Bison said. “As people, we are always wondering what people are thinking about us. And he just had a beautiful ability to not care what anybody was saying, to not care what anybody was thinking and give us his authentic self.”
The performer was shot while leaving a South Florida motorcycle shop in his luxury electric sports car in what police said was an apparent robbery. Police have arrested one suspect and on Wednesday identified another man as a person of interest.
Another fan, Andrew Cusumano, said it was sad that XXXTentacion’s life was cut short at the start of his career.
“I listened to him almost every day for the last two years. He was just someone I saw a lot of potential in and was wanting to follow his career,” Cusumano said. “I thought he would be around in the industry for a long time .... ”
Dedrick Williams, 22, was arrested last week and charged with the rapper’s slaying. He has not yet entered a plea.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that detectives want to question another man, 22-year-old Robert Allen, about his knowledge of the slaying. Investigators released photos of Allen, including one taken the day XXXTentacion was slain.