HIP-HOP ARTIST CHRIS KING TRAGICALLY KILLED IN NASHVILLE, MOURNED BY JUSTIN BIEBER, TRIPPIE REDD, MACHINE GUN KELLY & MANY OTHERS
Chris King, the rapper who established Snotty Nose Records and shared close bonds with Trippie Redd and Justin Bieber, tragically lost his life in a fatal shooting in Nashville early Saturday morning. He was 32 years old.
Nashville homicide detectives reported that King, whose real name is Christopher Cheeks, was in the company of friends around 2:30 a.m. CT when three individuals tried to rob them. During the incident, both King and his 29-year-old friend were shot. They fled in different directions, and although the 29-year-old victim was later found and received medical attention, King was declared dead upon arrival at Vanderbilt Hospital.
Social media flooded with affection for the late rapper, a Fontana, Calif. native. King once shared a home with Bieber, who expressed his grief on Instagram, saying, "Love you bro," alongside a photo of them embracing, accompanied by a broken-heart emoji. “This one hurts. Please keep his family in your prayers. See you in paradise, brother.”
On Saturday, Redd, known as King’s closest companion, shared a series of photos of the late rapper on social media. Alongside the images, he expressed his overwhelming grief, saying, “I am so hurt rn I can’t even think I love you bro come back!!!!!” He posted a longer tribute to Instagram on Sunday, writing, “Original 1400 I love you until we meet again twin! I would not 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 had the best energy always. He had so many friends and it shows. I love you guys for supporting one of my best friends ever my brother.”
Machine Gun Kelly replied in Redd's comments, stating, “chris was rare.”
Keke Palmer also paid homage to King on Instagram, sharing a photo of the two engaged in a Facetime conversation. “Chris King! I wish I had more photos but it’s actually perfect because this is exactly how it began,” she wrote. “iChat sessions with you and Marcel back in the 2Much days. Wow. I can’t believe I’m saying rest in peace. This is terrible. I really don’t know what to say. I just want to share that I loved you and I remember all the city walk, grove moments. That was my high school. When we were babies before everyone knew you was a real rockstar. We were kids! And you always knew how to make everyone laugh. Your kindness was present no matter what room you were in, everybody was and wanted to be your friend. We will miss you until we meet again, rest heavenly brother.”
King unveiled his last musical creation, titled "Seeing Double Seeing Double," on April 8. The renowned rapper was in Tennessee to headline the Friday night performance at the Nashville Cannafest.
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