Arts & Entertainment
Rapper Lil Peep dies at 21
the musician was touring for his debut album
Rapper Lil Peep, real name Gustav Åhr, died on Wednesday night in Tucson, Ariz., of an overdose. He was 21.
Lil Peep’s friend Adam Grandmaison confirmed to the Guardian Peep was taken to the hospital following an overdose. His manager Chase Ortega confirmed Peep’s death tweeting, “I’ve been expecting this call for a year. Mother f*ck”.
Peep had been scheduled to perform in Tucson, Ariz., as part of his “Come Over When You’re Sober” tour.
Sarah Stennett, the chief executive of First Access Entertainment, released a statement saying that she had “spoken to his mother and she asked me to convey that she is very, very proud of him and everything he was able to achieve in his short life.”
The news comes one day after Peep posted a video on Instagram stating he had taken a number of prescription pills. He was also known for frequently discussing his drug use in his lyrics.
Lil Peep was born to an elementary school teacher mother and a college professor father in Long Island N.Y. Raised in Long Beach, N.Y., he dropped out of high school and began to focus on music.
He started uploading his music to YouTube and SoundCloud and became known as an “emo rapper” for his blend of punk, hip-hop and trap. After self-releasing a number of mixtapes in 2015 and 2016, Peep dropped his debut album “Come Over When You’re Sober (Part One)” in August.
Lil Peep also came out as bisexual in August tweeting, “yes I’m bi sexual.” His music was well-known in the underground music scene but had recently gained recognition with other artists.
Numerous celebrities and artists paid tribute to Peep on social media including Pete Wentz, Diplo and Travis Barker.
Lil Peep forever❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yng5ABM0UL
— pw (@petewentz) November 16, 2017
RIP LIL PEEP ?
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) November 16, 2017
peep had so much more to do man he was constantly inspiring me. I dont feel good man
— diplo (@diplo) November 16, 2017
I cant even believe this. We were just talking last week about working on a song together and now you’re gone. You will be missed, R.I.P. @Lilpeep ? pic.twitter.com/GQRJe8Vck0
— marshmello (@marshmellomusic) November 16, 2017
I remember Lil peep telling me he is against the sexual abuse of women and people in the music industry… I will continue to push his vision thank you – Lil B
— Lil B THE BASEDGOD (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) November 16, 2017
Lil peep wtfffffffffff bro I’m sick❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Ty Dolla $ign (@tydollasign) November 16, 2017
Photos
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Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
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