Chris King, the rapper who was close friends with Trippie Redd and Justin Bieber and started Snotty Nose Records, was fatally shot in Nashville early Saturday. He was 32 years old.
According to Nashville homicide detectives, King (real name: Christopher Cheeks) was with friends at 2:30 a.m. CT when three suspects attempted to rob the group. Both King and his 29-year-old friend were hit by gunfire. After running in different directions, the 29-year-old victim was located and treated, while King was pronounced dead at Vanderbilt Hospital.
On social media, there has been an outpouring of love for the late rapper, who was born in Fontana, California. King briefly lived with Bieber, who took to his Instagram Story on Saturday to write, “Love you bro,” with a broken heart emoji over a photo of the pair cuddling. “This hurts. Please keep his family in your prayers. See you in heaven, brother.'
On Saturday, Redd – described as King's best friend – posted a carousel of photos of the late rapper along with the caption “I'm so hurt I can't even think I love you bro come back!!!!!” He posted a longer tribute on Instagram on Sunday, writing: “Original 1400 I love you until we meet again twin! I wouldn't be where I am today without @whoischrisking.” In the caption, Redd credited King with introducing him to 10K Projects CEO Elliot Grainge, as well as Create Music Group founding partner Milo Stokes. “He always had the best energy. He had so many friends and it shows. I love you for supporting one of my best friends, my brother.”
Machine Gun Kelly responded to Redd's comments, writing, “Chris was rare.”
Keke Palmer also shared a tribute to King on Instagram, posting a photo of the two chatting on Facetime. “Chris King! I wish I had more pictures, but actually it's perfect because that's how it started,” she wrote. “iChat sessions with you and Marcel again in 2Much days. Wow. I can't believe I'm saying rest in peace. That's awful. I really don't know what to say. I just want to share that I loved you and remember all the moments of the walk in the city, in the grove. This was my high school. When we were babies before everyone knew you were a real rock star. We were children! And you always knew how to make everyone laugh. Your kindness was present in whatever room you were in, everyone was there and wanted to be your friend. We will miss you until we meet again, rest in peace heavenly brother.”
On April 8, King released his latest music, a song called “Seeing Double Seeing Double.” The rapper was in Tennessee to perform Friday night at Nashville Cannafest.
Check out some of the tributes to King below:
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/chris-king-dead-justin-bieber-trippie-redd-machine-gun-kelly-reaction-1235663385/
