XXXTentacion fans outraged at hashtag 'celebrating' rapper's one year death anniversary: 'Let the kid RIP'
June 18 marks the one year anniversary of the death of Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, better known as XXXTentacion. The 20-year-old rapper was shot outside a motorbike store in Florida by two assailants and his death was mourned by many in the music industry.
Now a whole year after his death, Twitter is still divided over his legacy with some users -- mostly identified as K-pop fans -- using the tags #XxxtinctParty2019 and #XxxtinctGala2019 to “celebrate” his demise.
The young rapper had his fair share of controversy. Before his death, XXXTentacion was supposed to stand trial for domestic violence. Although he pleaded “not guilty”, audio tapes of him confessing to beating up his pregnant girlfriend and stabbing eight people surfaced in October 2018.
The anniversary drama started when users started posting photoshopped images from the Met Gala and other events declaring that celebrities were arriving at the #XxxtinctGala2019. The hashtag has been denounced as highly disrespectful by fans of the late rapper.
“#XxxtinctGala2019 this whole trend is legit just full of teenage girls who think they’re different because they dislike a rapper because of accusations. like Jesus y’all have the same amount of followers as me no one cares about your opinions” - @josefthehuman_
Some of those defending the memory of XXXTentacion pointed out his charity work and the fact that he was reportedly trying to turn his life around when he was fatally shot.
“#XXXTINCTGALA2019 is straight up one of the most disrespectful hashtags ever. Regardless of what you think he did, bro donated to so many charities and genuinely put out good energy. Something a lot of you motherf**kers tweeting it will never amount to. Let the kid RIP.” - @SpacedAlex
The tweets also angered quite a few k-pop fans who felt that their fandom was being shown in a bad light because of the actions of a minority.
“Y’all really making fun of a dead man, Who tf said that was alright? Kpop Stan’s should’ve never inserted themselves into this. Honestly, just say you’re mad and go. If the roles were reversed and they made a # like #XxxtinctGala2019 about your favs y’all would be pissed so stop” - @kxkoyaxk
On June 16, 2019, XXXTentacion’s close friend C Glizzy was shot in the head outside a convenience store in Florida. The 16-year-old rapper was rushed to the hospital and is reportedly in critical condition but expected to survive.