The music world was shocked over the weekend when news broke that 21-year-old rapper Juice WRLD died Sunday after having a seizure at Chicago’s Midway Airport.
The Chicago musician, whose birth name was Jarad Anthony Higgins, was conscious when paramedics took him to the hospital. Still, a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner told People magazine that he was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m. local time at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
And although an autopsy is scheduled for Monday to determine a true cause of death, Juice’s girlfriend, Ally Lotti, told police that the rapper “takes Percocet and has a drug problem,” according to The Chicago Tribune.
During a search of the rapper’s luggage, federal agents also found drugs, including 41 “vacuum-sealed” bags of marijuana and six prescription bottles filled with codeine cough syrup. The agents, who were already at the airport after getting a tip that the rapper might be carrying contraband, also uncovered guns, bullets and a high-capacity ammunition magazine. Two of Juice’s bodyguards were arrested and charged with various misdemeanors in connection with the search.
Many in music took to social media to remember the rapper, whose own record label described him as “kind.”
Interscope Records said in a statement, “Juice made a profound impact on the world in such a short period of time. He was a gentle soul, whose creativity knew no bounds, an exceptional human being and artist who loved and cared for his fans above everything else.”
“To lose someone so kind and so close to our hearts is devastating. Our thoughts are with Juice’s family and friends, everyone at his label Grade A, and his millions of fans around the world,” the statement concluded.
Chance the Rapper
Fellow Chicago artist Chance the Rapper called Juice a “legend.” “He knows our hearts,” he began in a caption. “I really wish we had more talks like that one night in LA. Dude. This is ridiculous. Millions of people, not just in Chicago but around the world are hurting because of this and don’t know what to make of it. I’m sorry. Love you and God bless your soul. #legend.”
Lil Nas X
During a performance, the genre-bending artist played Juice Wrld’s hit song, “Lucid Dreams,” in tribute.
Lil Yachty
The rapper and songwriter wrote in a caption on Instagram, “bye brother, love u dawg.. rip.”
Drake
“I would like to see all the younger talent live longer and I hate waking up hearing another story filled with blessings was cut short,” he wrote in a caption on IG.