Image by Chris Bethell
Since news broke of the premature death of the genre-blurring rapper Lil Peep in November, the music world has united in an outpouring of grief, and of love and appreciation for his inventive work. And while Peep is no longer physically present, it's been clear over the last week that the enormity of what he left behind lives on, and will continue to do so for his fans for a long time to come.Last Wednesday, it was announced that he had charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time – his track "Awful Things" reached number 79. His debut album Come Over When You're Sober Part 1, also surged upwards on the albums chart, climbing to number 38. Following that, on Saturday, a public memorial service was held for Peep in his hometown of Long Beach, New York. It was attended by friends, family and fans, and also featured a performance of "Awful Things" by pop-punk OGs Good Charlotte, who Peep had once cited as his "biggest influence."One of Peep's closest collaborators, fellow Goth Boi Clique member Nedarb commented on how excited he'd be to see Good Charlotte covering his music:
Advertisement
It was a fitting tribute, and one that encapsulated why Peep's art was so special: while it provided emo with a reinvigoration, it also carried with it a reverence for the genre's heart and soul. Between that and the Billboard success, though gone far too soon, it's an amazing legacy for a 21-year-old to leave on Earth.
You can find Noisey on Twitter.READ MORE: A First Date with Lil Peep