Prior to his sudden murder in 2018, Florida rapper XXXTentacion was in the midst of becoming a superstar. Boasting albums like 17 and ? to his name, Triple X quickly won fans through his experimental nature, his strong ear for melodies, and his ability to flip the script and spit bars when prompted. In truth, few of the new generation of hip-hop artists boast his level of versatility, a quality that went a long way in widening the scope of his base. To this day, there are some who deem him legendary, another young pioneer gone before he could truly reveal his full potential.

Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

As his death anniversary slowly approaches, Lil Yachty took a moment to reflect on Triple X's passing. "I still can’t believe this n***a x really gone," he writes on Twitter, though it's unclear as to what prompted his mourning. In any case, it goes to show the impact XXXTentacion truly had on his fellow artists. 

Though Yachty and XXX never actually linked up on wax, it's not the first time that Lil Boat openly reflected on the rapper's passing. A few weeks after Triple X's murder, Yachty sat down with Big Boy TV and explained how the news had impacted him. "I've been a good person, I've always been a good person, but I want to be the best person, in a serious way," he explained. "I really want to be like, active. I want to help, and learn more about what's going on in the world."

Rest in peace XXXTentacion, and respect to Lil Yachty for showing his memory some love. Should you be looking to support Lil Boat in your own way, be sure to check out his brand new Lil Boat 3 album.

Ty Dolla Sign took to his Instagram Saturday morning to mourn the loss of his grandmother, penning a heartfelt message in her honor.

“My goggie passed this morning,” he wrote along with sharing a photo of her. “With out her there would be no me ! Thank ya for everything from just being my grandma helping raise us letting me have the back room at the house for my studio and playing my music at all times of night and day trynna find my sound to giving me your room when @jailynncrystal was born and helping me get on my feet !”

He continued: “Didn’t matter who it was u always looked out for all of our friends as well ! You’d give your last dollar to any of us ! I can go on for hours about how great of a soul u r and how much of a impact u made on so many of us ! I love u and will hold u close in my heart forever,” he said, before adding “1928-2020 u outlived everyone turnt up the whole time.”

It’s unclear at the moment if the death was related to coronavirus or not, but our prayers are with the R&B singer & his family during this difficult time.

Jack Nicholson is a well-known Los Angeles Lakers fan and watched Kobe Bryant do his thing for many years from his courtside seats. While the 82-year-old actor rarely appears in public or likes to give an interview, he decided to change all that for his late friend & Laker great yesterday.

Speaking with CBS Los Angeles, Mr. Nicholson said he was heartbroken over the loss. “My reaction is the same as almost all of LA,” Nicholson said. “Where we think everything’s solid, there’s a big hole in the wall. I was used to seeing and talking to Kobe that… it kills you. It’s just a terrible event.“

The Oscar winner recalled meeting Bryant for the first time at Madison Square Garden in New York. “I teased him the first time we met. I offered him a basketball and asked him if he wanted me to autograph it for him,” the actor joked. “He looked at me like I was crazy.”

And there were the countless special moments he witnessed from his famed court side seat. “I sat right behind his jump shot on the left hand side. I can see him going up and I can tell the first instant if it’s going in. I remember the totality of how great a player he was… We’ll think of him all the time and we’ll miss him,” he said sadly.

Hear what Jack had to say about Kobe (below).