Drug Abuse: 10 Artistes Who have died Due to Overdose

Drug abuse remains one of the most pressing public health crises in the world claiming countless lives each year and leaving families ad friends to live with loss and grief. The music industry, a realm often associated with both immense creativity and intense pressures, has been particularly hard-hit by this epidemic. 

Dealing with fame, coupled with the stresses of constant public scrutiny, often leads artists down a perilous path of substance abuse. Here are some talented artists in the U.S whose lives were tragically cut short by drug overdose.

Rich Homie Quan 

Dequantes Devontay Lamar professionally known as Rich Homie Quan succumbed to the combined effects of fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, and promethazine at the age of 34. Lamar was found unresponsive on his couch by his girlfriend, who called 911 after noticing he hadn’t moved and exhibited signs of distress, including foaming at the mouth. He was pronounced dead at an Atlanta hospital. An autopsy carried out revealed an accidental drug overdose

Juice Wrld

Jarad Anthony Higgins known as Juice Wrld passed away at 21 while aboard a private jet intercepted by authorities who discovered 70 pounds of marijuana. To hide the drugs, he allegedly swallowed multiple Percocet pills, which led to a seizure and a suspected opioid overdose. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at a Chicago hospital, with the cause of death later confirmed as toxic levels of oxycodone and codeine.

Mac Miller

At 26,  Malcolm James McCormick known as Mac Miller was found unresponsive at his Studio City home and pronounced dead from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol. In September 2019, three men were arrested for supplying counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl that led to his death. Sentences ranged from 10 to 17½ years, with one individual set to be released in October 2024.

A$AP Yamz

ASAP Mob (stylized as A$AP Mob, ASAP being an acronym for “Always Strive and Prosper”  a vibrant member of the influential A$AP Mob died at age 26. His death was officially ruled a mixed drug overdose, though some associates suggested it was due to asphyxiation from vomit caused by sleep apnea.

Speaker Knockerz

Derek McAllister Jr. popularly called Speaker Knockerz was found dead in his South Carolina home. Authorities ruled his death a natural heart attack with no signs of foul play or drugs. However, in a 2023 interview, his mother stated that the true cause of death was misrepresented and did not involve drugs or a heart attack.

Lil Peep

Gustav Elijah Åhr known as Lil Peep at 21 was found dead on his tour bus in Tucson, Arizona, just before a performance. His manager discovered him unresponsive and attempts to revive him failed. An autopsy determined his death was caused by an accidental overdose of fentanyl and Xanax, along with other substances. 

Following his passing, Lil Peep’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his management company, alleging negligence and enabling drug use. The lawsuit was settled in February 2023, resulting in Lil Peep’s music catalog being transferred to his surviving family.

Big Scarr

Alexander Woods popularly called Big Scarr was shot in the hip and spine, requiring surgery and leg realignment. He died on December 22, 2022, at age 22 from an accidental prescription drug overdose at his girlfriend’s house, according to his family.

Coolio

Artis Leon Ivey Jr known as Coolio was found unresponsive at a friend’s house in Los Angeles and pronounced dead at age 59. The Los Angeles County Coroner determined his death was due to an accidental overdose of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, with underlying health issues like cardiomyopathy and chronic asthma contributing. Coolio was cremated privately, with some of his ashes placed in jewelry for his family and the rest kept in an urn.

DMX

Earl “DMX” Simmons became addicted to crack cocaine at age 14 and entered rehab multiple times (2002, 2017, 2019). On February 10, 2016, he was found unresponsive and resuscitated with Narcan, initially attributed to an asthma attack. 

On April 2, 2021, DMX suffered a heart attack at home, likely due to a drug overdose, and was taken to White Plains Hospital. After experiencing lung and brain failure, he was pronounced dead on April 9, 2021, at age 50, with the official cause of death being a heart attack.