In an industry rife with references to illicit drug use, 21-year-old rapper Lil Peep’s suspected overdose death has pushed his friend and fellow rapper Lil Uzi Vert to try sobriety. After the news of Lil Peep’s death broke, Lil Uzi Vert went on Twitter to express his sympathy and to address those who seem to only care about overdose and addiction right after someone famous dies.
“We Would love 2 stop ….. But Do You Really Care Cause We Been On Xanax All Fucking Year,” he tweeted. “Rip Buddy I 100% Understand and I Don’t Fault U.”
But he didn’t stop there. A recent tweet reveals that he was inspired to get sober in Lil Peep’s wake.
“Sober 2 day I have been shaking,” he wrote. “I have been cursing my love ones out and fighting In the studio with no thoughts in my head Teeth biting down because I just wanna be angry at something …… maybe I will just smoke weed tonight.”
His public admission of his struggles with addiction has seen a positive response, with fans and well-wishers urging him to stay strong.
Born Gustav Åhr, Lil Peep was an up-and-coming Long Island-based rapper popular for his genre-bending emo rap. His songs and social media posts showcased his drug use and depression. In the 24 hours before his death, he posted pictures of himself taking Xanax as well as a cryptic Instagram post stating, “When I die You’ll love me.” He passed away while on the last leg of his Come Over When You’re Sober tour.
Many in the music industry have felt the impact of Lil Peep’s untimely death.
“in the short time that i knew you, you were a great friend to me and a great person,” wrote Post Malone on Twitter. “Your music changed the world and it’ll never be the same. i love you bud. forever.”
The glorification of drug use has been a hot topic in the hip hop industry. Russ, an Atlanta-based rapper, took a hard line on the issue. “Doing Xanax and lean (because) your favorite rapper makes it sound cool is all fun and games, ‘til your impressionable ass gets addicted,” he tweeted. “Stop.”
Wiz Khalifa has also come out against lean, a cocktail made from soda, candy and prescription cough medicine that is a popular concoction amongst some in the hip-hop community.