The recent tragic news of Liam Payne’s death has shaken all of us deeply. Along with this, it has reignited the pain in our hearts for many other great artists who died under 30. So, let’s take a look at some more legendary names who left the world at a very young age.
For any fan, the greatest sorrow occurs when their favorite artists leave them forever, especially when they are young and at the peak of their careers. With a heavy heart, today we will look at some of the finest artists from the music world who left us too soon but left behind extraordinary work.
Iconic Musicians Who Died Under 30
1. Liam Payne, Pop and R&B singer
Name: Liam James Payne
Birth: 29 August 1993
Died: 16 October 2024 (aged 31)
Reason: Drugs and Alcohol Overdose
Recently, on October 16, the very sad news came that Liam Payne, former member of One Direction and pop/R&B singer-songwriter, passed away after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Though Payne’s death occurred at the age of 31, it is a significant loss for all of us, which is why it’s essential to add him to this list as an exception.
2. Tupac Shakur, Rapper
Name: Lesane Parish Crooks
Birth: June 16, 1971
Died: September 13, 1996 (aged 25)
Reason: Gunshots
The world is familiar with this legendary and revolutionary rapper. Known for creating masterpiece rap songs in genres like West Coast Gangsta and Political Hip Hop, this great artist was shot and killed at the age of just 25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
3. XXX Tentacion, Rapper
Name: Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy
Birth: January 23, 1998
Died: June 18, 2018 (aged 20)
Reason: Gunshots
What could be more heartbreaking than when an artist is at the peak of their career, admired by a huge young population around the world for their explosive and innovative music style, and passes away at the age of just 20? June 18, 2018, remains a dark day in the memory of all fans, as Tentacion was shot by robbers on that day.
4. Mac Miller, Rapper and Singer
Name: Malcolm James McCormick
Birth: January 19, 1992
Died: September 7, 2018 (aged 26)
Reason: Drug Overdose
Another extremely talented young artist, Mac Miller, left this world too soon. Fans still feel the void left by this rapper and singer, known for giving hits like “The Spins,” “Small World,” and “Weekend.”
5. Sidhu Moose Wala, Rapper and Singer
Name: Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu
Birth: 11 June 1993
Died: 29 May 2022 (aged 28)
Reason: Gunshots
Even today, people love Sidhu Moose Wala, the artist who brought Punjabi music to the global stage, as much as they did before, if not more. Known for his mastery of genres like Hip Hop and Gangsta Rap, Sidhu’s death left a profound impact. Even Drake expressed his grief via his Instagram story.
There is also a theory that Sidhu predicted his own death, as his death occurred on May 29, and he had a song titled “295,” where he seemed to hint at something through his lyrics.
6. Avicii, DJ and Record Producer
Name: Tim Bergling
Birth: 8 September 1989
Died: 20 April 2018 (aged 28)
Reason: Unconfirmed
At the young age of 16, Avicii started posting EDM remixes on various platforms. We all enjoyed his pioneering work with songs like “Wake Me Up,” “Waiting for Love,” and “Hey Brother.” It is heartbreaking to know that he passed away at the age of just 28.
7. Juice Wrld, Rapper
Name: Jarad Anthony Higgins
Birth: December 2, 1998
Died: December 8, 2019 (aged 21)
Reason: Drugs Overdose
With deep lyrics like “I still see your shadow in my room, can’t take back the love that I gave you,” Juice Wrld, who penned songs that touched our hidden wounds, achieved great heights in his short four-year career. He gave us hits like “Lucid Dreams,” “All Girls Are the Same,” and “Lean with Me.”
8. The Notorious B.I.G., Rapper
Name: Christopher George Latore Wallace
Birth: May 21, 1972
Died: March 9, 1997 (aged 24)
Reason: Gunshots
Whenever Hip Hop is discussed, this Gangsta Rapper’s name will always be mentioned with great respect. In just five years, Biggie revived the Hip Hop style with his talent. Nominated for four Grammys, this great artist achieved in a few short years what many can only dream of.
9. Lil Peep, Rapper
Name: Gustav Elijah Åhr
Birth: November 1, 1996
Died: November 15, 2017 (aged 21)
Reason: Drugs Overdose
Once a sensation among teenagers for his emotional songs like “Falling Down” and “Star Shopping,” Lil Peep passed away at the age of just 21.
10. Pop Smoke, Rapper
Name: Bashar Barakah Jackson
Birth: July 20, 1999
Died: February 19, 2020 (aged 20)
Reason: Gunshots
Known for his famous Brooklyn drill-style songs and gifting us with iconic hits like “What You Know Bout Love,” “For the Night,” and “Dior,” Pop Smoke left the world at just 20 years old.
11. Aaliyah, Singer
Name: Aaliyah Dana Haughton
Birth: January 16, 1979
Died: August 25, 2001 (aged 22)
Reason: Airplane Crash
Besides being a singer, Aaliyah was also an actress, dancer, and model. She is credited with helping define contemporary R&B, Pop, and Hip Hop.
12. Amy Winehouse, Singer
Name: Amy Jade Winehouse
Birth: 14 September 1983
Died: 23 July 2011 (aged 27)
Reason: Alcohol Poisoning
When a full-fledged dedicated film is made about an artist or a person, it is clear they have accomplished something significant in their life. The 2024 biographical drama film Back to Black, based on Amy Jade Winehouse, was released recently. Even today, the legacy of this legendary singer, who won six Grammy Awards and was nominated for eight, remains alive in the hearts of her fans.
“I’m a musician. I’m not someone who’s trying to be diplomatic, you know, trying to get my 15 minutes. I’m just a musician who is honest.”
Amy Winehouse, Grammy
13. Jimi Hendrix, Guitarist and Singer
Name: Johnny Allen Hendrix
Birth: November 27, 1942
Died: September 18, 1970 (aged 27)
Reason: Aspirated his own vomit and died of asphyxia
People still haven’t forgotten Hendrix. The legacy of this American guitarist is such that even today, famous singers and rappers mention him in their songs. Along with being a great guitarist, he was also a singer and songwriter.
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It’s really difficult to see that so many great artists died under 30.