Lil Peep

Biography

Gustav Elijah Åhr, known professionally as Lil Peep, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter born on November 1, 1996, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Raised in Long Beach, New York, he was a member of the emo-rap collective GothBoiClique. He is considered a leading figure in the emo rap sub-genre, blending elements of hip hop, rock, punk, and dream pop in his music. His lyrics often touched on themes of depression, drug use, past relationships, and suicidal thoughts.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Åhr's parents were both Harvard graduates; his mother was a first-grade teacher and his father a college professor. After his parents divorced during his teenage years, he moved to Long Beach, New York, with his mother and older brother. He had a difficult time in high school and eventually dropped out, but later earned a diploma through online courses. At 17, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career, initially experiencing periods of homelessness.

Rise to Fame

Lil Peep began releasing music on SoundCloud in 2014 under the name "Trap Goose" before adopting the moniker Lil Peep. He gained significant traction in 2015 with his mixtape "Lil Peep; Part One" and the single "Star Shopping". His popularity continued to grow with the release of acclaimed mixtapes like "Crybaby" and "Hellboy" in 2016. His music, often described as a blend of emo and rap, resonated with a young online audience. He was known for sampling alternative rock and pop-punk bands in his songs. In August 2017, he released his debut studio album, "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 1".

Musical Style

Lil Peep's musical style was often labeled as emo rap, lo-fi rap, and cloud rap. Music critics noted his ability to blend the introspective and angsty themes of post-hardcore rock with the sounds of Southern rap. His musical influences included a wide range of artists such as Kurt Cobain, whom he aspired to be a "new version" of, David Bowie, My Chemical Romance, and Gucci Mane. His songs often featured samples from bands like Brand New, Underoath, and The Postal Service.

Personal Life

Åhr was open about his struggles with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, and he identified as bisexual. He had a close relationship with his mother and tattooed her initials on his arm. He was also known for his distinctive and numerous tattoos, including the word "Crybaby" on his forehead.

Death and Legacy

On November 15, 2017, just two weeks after his 21st birthday, Lil Peep was found dead on his tour bus in Tucson, Arizona. The cause of death was ruled as an accidental overdose of fentanyl and alprazolam (Xanax). His death was seen as a significant loss to the music world, with many publications highlighting his potential and influence.

Posthumous Releases

Following his death, several posthumous projects have been released. His second studio album, "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2," was released in 2018 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart. A documentary about his life, "Everybody's Everything," was released in 2019, accompanied by a soundtrack of the same name. His music continues to be released by his estate, managed by his mother, Liza Womack.