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Mission Beach memorial for slain controversial rapper XXXTentacion

Mission Beach memorial for slain controversial rapper XXXTentacion
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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Nearly 100 people showed up in Mission Beach Monday night, for slain rapper XXXTentacion.

The memorial, hosted by TrickzzMedia, started at 5 p.m. near Belmont Park.

"I cried for like 5 days," said one fan, Melanie Knox.

"Obviously, his image was that he didn't look like everybody else," Malik Riddle, another fan, said. "He had tattoos on his face. His hair and everything was different. It's just rap and hiphop, but his message was basically just be yourself."

"I think we're overplaying some parts of him and underplaying some of the darker sides," said Matt Hawkins, who was a little surprised by the large turnout for the rapper.

 

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A memorial held in Los Angeles drew more than 300 people out in the area of Melrose. Police officer in riot gear were called to monitor the event that saw some climbing on news vans.

The 20-year-old rapper, born Jahseh Onfroy, was shot and killed outside a Florida motorsports business on June 18. The suspected shooter, later identified as Dedrick Williams of Pompano Beach, reportedly ran up to Onfroy's vehicle as he was leaving and shot him.

Williams has been charged with first-degree murder.

RELATED: XXXTentacion's ex-girlfriend receives thousands for eye surgery following alleged abuse

Onfroy rocketed to fame after his song, "Look at Me," went viral on social media and SoundCloud in 2016. His recent album, "?," premiered at No. 1 in March, according to Billboard.

But his career was overshadowed by off-stage problems. According to TMZ, Onfroy was awaiting trial for domestic violence against his pregnant girlfriend and was facing more than a dozen felony charges. Prosecutors also accused him of witness tampering.

The rapper had a history in San Diego, as well. During a performance at the Observatory North Park in 2017, someone reportedly rushed onto the stage and punched Onfroy

RELATED: Suspect arrested in death of rapper XXXTentacion

Security at the venue jumped into the attack, which involved at least 10 other people. A 19-year-old was also stabbed in that incident. The violence was said to have started with a feud between Onfroy and San Diego-based rapper Rob Stone.