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As the alleged killer of XXXTentacion was being arrested, the rapper's personal history of brutal violence has many music fans feeling conflicted about his legacy.
On June 20, 22-year-old Dedrick Devonshay Williams was arrested in Florida for the shooting death of the rapper, born Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy. Authorities are reportedly on the hunt for two more suspects, according to TMZ.
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View StoryOn June 18, Onfroy was rushed to the hospital after a gunman ran up to his vehicle and shot him while he was motorcycle shopping, according to TMZ, who first broke the news. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 20-years old.
While many of his fans lauded his musical prowess and creativity in the immediate wake of his sudden death, it is his history of abusive violence that has just as many people decrying the accolades now being heaped upon him posthumously.
It's a common affect when someone passes away to gloss over the darker chapters in their lives and focus on their more positive qualities. But for some, XXXTentacion's violent past just wasn't something they could let go of so easily. And it's not just that he allegedly committed several brutal attacks, including on a gay cellmate in juvenile detention and on his pregnant girlfriend, it's that he seemed to have little to no remorse for his behavior.
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View StoryInstead, XXXTentacion put his history of violence into his chart-topping music. According to court documents, Onfroy punched, kicked and strangled his girlfriend and even kidnapped her at one point. At the time of his death, he was awaiting trial on more than a dozen felony charges, including charges for domestic violence against his pregnant girlfriend.
Several notable musicians mourned his death, including Kanye West, Diplo, Travis Barker, J. Cole and Aaron Carter, which only riled up those who could not so easily dismiss his violent and abusive behavior. As one of his alleged killers has been arrested, that debate has only continued to intensify across social media.
Below are some of the most impassioned responses from both sides of the aisle.
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View StoryHe beat his pregnant gf in captivity. Never expressed remorse. Threatened to rape critics' “little sisters”. Lavished stories of beating and torturing a gay inmate in an interview. Please remember his victims, too. I stand w women and LGBTQ, so idc if you unfollow. #xxxtentacion
@RealGEazy
celebrities “paying their respects” to xxxtentacion is literally promoting his problematic & abusive behavior and telling young people that it's okay to abuse people if you're depressed what a fucking world this is.
@spiideystark
To everyone hating on XXXtentacion, give it a break pic.twitter.com/fXm8aVN8kn
@lamfam_20
America really celebrating abusers by getting xxxtentacion to No.1 pic.twitter.com/P8PEmkqp9Y
@don_mc20
someone wrote "fuck xxxtentacion" in the boys bathroom door with sharpie and i changed it to " fuck love - xxxtentacion ft. trippie red"
@Chriustian
all these ppl defending xxxtentacion purely bc they liked his music is the most headass thing i've ever heard. by that logic. if jimmy saville had a TV show that you liked, would you still defend his actions? i think the fuck not. so what makes xxx any different. wise up
@moneyfornthn
XXXTENTACION's death gotta be one of the most controversial deaths ever 😭
@Thedollnae_
Rip @xxxtentacion though i dont agree with some foyour actions dosnt take away from the fact that your music touched so many ppl including me , much love for you and your family brother 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/dhAvxgI7MT
@anthonyluzbel
Why does xxxtentacion get a free pass for beating the absolute shit out of his pregnant girlfriend? Shits unfortunate but come on
@A_Turcotte7
XXXtentacion is the perfect example of how the term 'innocent until proven guilty', is twisted to 'guilty until proven innocent' for black people, everywhere.
@MonreauRobinson
Preach! XXXTENTACION INNOCENT pic.twitter.com/qWLkU0v6b5
@akaElJefe
maybe one day we'll listen to women. until then, remember that not only did xxxtentacion violently abuse his ex gf and beat a gay man nearly to death, he stood by while his fans harassed his ex into dropping charges & got her gofundme to pay for hospital bills removed.
@malIory
females on twitter : xxxtentacion was this and that! He abused Geneva and beat up gay people.
@little_elfff
Geneva : I lied about everything.
Females on twitter: no you didn't Bitch you said what you said. I can't be wrong and look stupid now.
Me when i heard xxxtentacion, a violent misogynist and homophobe with domestic abuse and hate crime backgrounds, got shot pic.twitter.com/hAinZU4cN4
@sydniesux
Just so annoying seeing all these groups saying “he deserved it”, no one deserves to get shot and especially at the age of 20
@bradsherborne1
Xxxtentacion depressed: rape beats and abuses his gf
@julindasula
Everyone: he's has mEnTaL iLLneSs & hIs mUsIc iS gOoD
Me depressed: I avoid contacts with anyone and stay in bed all day
Everyone: what a lazy rude piece of shit
nobody deserves 2 be a victim of gun violence but xxxtentacion did deserve 2 be in jail so lets not all act like he was some misunderstood genius who deserves a fucking eulogy of roses & redemption arcs.. abuse isnt a manifestation of creativity...domestic violence isnt artistic
@swetpantsnation
I think the most heartbreaking thing about XXXtentacion passing is the fact that he spent majority of his life depressed and wanting to end his own life, but someone else ended it while he was on the road of recovery
@youngfoxraps
RIP XXXTENTACION. Long live your music and the message you was tryna spread.
@OfficialChip
i hate when shootings occur to innocent people who are murdered in cold blood but xxxtentacion is the furthest thing from innocent he is a sick disgusting abuser who used said abuse for clout and people really kept supporting him after the allegations were true. hes a psychopath
@clcptgs
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