Lil Keed Dead at 24

Atlanta rapper Lil Keed has died.

Early Saturday morning (May 14), rumors of Lil Keed‘s passing began circulating on social media. Lil Gotit, Keed’s brother, confirmed the news on Instagram around 1:30 a.m. A rep for Lil Keed also confirmed to XXL that he has died. The late rapper’s cause of death is not known at this time. Keed was 24 years old when he passed.

“Can’t believe I seened u die today bro I did all my cries I know what u want me to do and that’s go hard for Mama Daddy Our Brothers Naychur and Whiteboy #ImaHoldthisShitDown,” Gotit wrote in an Instagram post of a photo featuring himself and Keed.

In Gotit’s IG Story, he also included a note about his brother’s passing. “@lilkeed Whyyy bra whyyy u leave me bra,” he wrote, adding several smiling face with tear emojis along with a selfie.

Lil Keed, a 2020 XXL Freshman, came to prominence in hip-hop as part of the YSL collective under Young Thug. After kicking off his rap career in 2016, Keed’s divergent sound captured fans’ attention as he paired his melodic flair with sing-song flows and falsetto voice throughout his rhymes. A consummate example of rap’s new-age sound. Trapped on Cleveland, Trapped on Cleveland 2, Keed Talk to ’Em, Long Live Mexico and Trapped on Cleveland 3 showcased both consistency and cool. “Nameless,” a 2018 gem from Keed Talk to ’Em, and “Wavy (Remix)” featuring Travis Scott, included on Keed’s Trapped on Cleveland 3 album, are standouts in his discography.

In his XXL Freshman interview two years ago, Keed, born Raqhid Render, shared the ultimate vision for his career. “My goal and my intentions for my future? I wanna be a megastar,” the 300 Entertainment artist said. “I don’t wanna be no superstar. I wanna be a megastar.”

He also spoke fondly of YSL leader Thugger. “Young Thug has influenced me as far as like, how to conduct business and how to be a businessman and how to move and be militant-minded and just take care of business,” Keed explained. “I like the way he handles business and he a real father. He take care of everybody he need to take care of. So, that make you a real man. I’m a real man, myself.”

News of Lil Keed’s death arrives several days after Young Thug, Gunna and other associates of YSL were hit with RICO charges. Young Thug and Gunna remain in jail after their bonds were denied.

The hip-hop community is shocked and saddened by Lil Keed’s passing. Trippie Redd, Doe Boy, Lil Gnar and more share their thoughts on the rapper’s death below.

Doe Boy tweeted, “R.I.P Lil Keed Pray For YSL.”

Trippie Redd, who toured with Keed in the past, shared several videos of the late rhymer on IG. “Bro I can’t believe this I was always encouraging u to take this rap shit serious I brought u on tour with me because I had faith in you can’t understand this one truly hurting my soul rest easy brother 5Life,” Trippie wrote as the caption to the post.

“Rip lil keed … wtf can’t believe I’m seeing dis rn. im sick to my stomach. my brudda was a good hearted nigga fr,” Lil Gnar tweeted.

See more reactions to Lil Keed’s death below. R.I.P.

Lil Wop

Kap G

Jacquees

Nessly

Father

Retch

DJ Scheme

Alex Tumay