In the opening paragraph, I will provide a quick answer to the article’s main question – when did Juice World die? Juice World, whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins, died on December 8, 2019 at the age of 21.
Juice World’s Life and Career
Jarad Anthony Higgins, known professionally as Juice World, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He was considered a rising star in the music industry for his unique vocal style and deeply emotional, vulnerable lyrics.
Juice World was born on December 2, 1998 in Chicago. He developed an interest in music early in life and began rapping and singing during his teenage years, releasing some of his early music on the internet in 2015 and 2016 while still in high school.
His career took off in 2018 with the release of his hit singles “Lucid Dreams” and “All Girls Are the Same” which helped him gain a major label record deal. His debut studio album Goodbye & Good Riddance was released in May 2018 and was a breakout success, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. It contained his first hit single “Lucid Dreams” which has now been streamed over 1 billion times on Spotify alone.
Throughout 2018 and 2019, Juice World toured extensively and released several mixtapes and EPs including Wrld on Drugs with rapper Future. His popularity continued to grow exponentially during this period. He amassed a large social media following and was named as one of XXL Magazine’s “Freshman Class” of 2019, a recognition of up-and-coming artists in hip hop.
Tragically, at the peak of his meteoric rise, Juice World passed away shortly after his 21st birthday on December 8, 2019. His major label sophomore album, Death Race for Love, was released posthumously in March 2019 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Details of Juice World’s Death
On December 8, 2019, Juice World was at Chicago Midway International Airport after returning from a trip to California on a private jet. While going through security, he began convulsing and went into cardiac arrest. TMZ initially reported he had swallowed several Percocet pills in an attempt to hide them from federal agents as the plane was searched.
Law enforcement and paramedics responded immediately and Juice World was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. After being pronounced dead at the hospital at 3:14 AM CST, an autopsy determined he died of an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine.
Juice World had a history of drug use issues, especially with lean (a mixture of codeine cough syrup and soda), that he was very open about in his music and interviews. His reliance on drugs to treat his anxiety and depression was a recurring theme in songs like “Legends” and “Wishing Well.”
According to a federal investigation following his death, Juice World had swallowed several Percocet pills along with 70 lbs of marijuana that was aboard the private jet. Associates of his on the plane told authorities he took the pills in order to protect his entourage from drug charges.
In the aftermath of Juice World’s passing, many fellow musicians like Ellie Goulding, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty and others paid tribute to the fallen star on social media. His mother Carmella Wallace also released a statement saying he “battled with prescription drug dependency” but that “those who loved Jarad simply wanted to see him healthy and thriving.”
Reactions from the Music Industry and Fans
Juice World’s sudden death sent shockwaves through the music industry and hip hop community. Tributes poured in on social media from artists he had collaborated with like Ellie Goulding, BTS, and Brent Faiyaz as well as peers like Lil Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert, and DJ Scheme.
Ellie Goulding, who collaborated with Juice World on the song “Hate Me,” tweeted:
“You had so much further to go, you were just getting started. You’ll be missed Juice.”
Lil Uzi Vert wrote:
“I can’t believe it…I love you so much dude.”
Juice World had a hugely passionate fan base, especially among teenagers and young adults who deeply connected with his raw, emotionally vulnerable music. His followers, calling themselves “Juicewrld999” flooded social media with tributes and grief over the news.
On Twitter, RIPJuice and #RIPJuiceWRLD trended for days with fans posting their favorite lyrics and memories. Many emphasized how his lyrics about depression, drug addiction, and heartbreak had helped them cope with similar struggles.
Reddit forums like r/JuiceWRLD memorialized him and some fans even got “999” tattoos in his honor, referencing his 2018 album.
In Chicago, a vigil for Juice World drew hundreds of fans and supporters outside his former high school, Homewood-Flossmoor High School on December 9, 2019, the day after his death.
Posthumous Releases and Legacy
Following his passing, Juice World’s record label Grade A Productions and Interscope Records posthumously released his first studio album under their partnership, Death Race For Love, on March 8, 2019. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and became his first #1 album.
Juice World had completed work on the album before his untimely death. It was led by the singles “Robbery” and “Hear Me Calling” which became hits on rock and pop radio. Death Race for Love went on to sell over 2 million album equivalent units in the US alone and received generally positive reviews from critics.
In July 2020, his second posthumous album Legends Never Die was surprise released. It contained several songs Juice World had recorded before his passing. Legends Never Die had the biggest posthumous debut streaming week ever with nearly 500 million on-demand streams. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 497,000 equivalent album units sold, setting several records.
More posthumous releases are expected in the future as his family and label continue to put out music he made before his death. Juice World recorded prolifically and left behind an immense trove of unreleased material.
In the years since Juice World’s passing, his stardom has only kept rising. He is now considered one of the most talented, successful young rappers to emerge in the late 2010’s. His vulnerable songwriting and open discussion of mental health struggles made him a spokesperson for young people dealing with similar issues.
By blending rap, pop punk, emo and other genres, Juice World created a distinctive, melodic vocal style that inspired a whole new wave of emo-rap artists and “SoundCloud rappers.” He paved the way for contemporaries like Lil Peep, Trippie Redd, and iann dior.
Juice World’s tragic story of a rapidly rising, troubled young artist succumbing to substance abuse issues has drawn comparisons to Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Lil Peep and other musicians who died young at the peak of fame. Like them, Juice World’s myth and impact has continued to grow even after his untimely death at just 21 years old.
Detailed Timeline of Events
Here is a detailed timeline of the major events in Juice World’s life and career as well as the circumstances surrounding his death:
Date | Event |
---|---|
December 2, 1998 | Jarad Anthony Higgins is born in Chicago, Illinois. |
2015 | Begins posting songs on SoundCloud under name JuiceTheKidd |
2017 | Releases mixtapes under name JuicetheKidd |
March 2018 | Releases smash hit single “Lucid Dreams” |
May 2018 | Releases debut album Goodbye & Good Riddance |
October 2018 | Releases mixtape Wrld on Drugs with Future |
March 2019 | Releases second studio album Death Race for Love |
December 8, 2019 | Juice World dies of accidental overdose at Chicago Midway Airport at age 21 |
July 2020 | Posthumous third studio album Legends Never Die is released |
This timeline shows Juice World’s rapid rise from a teenage SoundCloud rapper to a streaming superstar in just a few years before his untimely death at 21 as he was becoming a global household name.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rising rapper Juice World whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins died on December 8, 2019 at Midway Airport in his hometown of Chicago. He was just 21 years old at the time and his death was ruled an accidental overdose from oxycodone and codeine.
Juice World burst onto the music scene in 2018 with hits like “Lucid Dreams” and his fame skyrocketed in a short time before his tragic passing. His vulnerable lyrics about depression and drug use hit home with legions of young fans who paid tribute to him after his death.
He is considered a pioneer of the emo-rap subgenre and left behind a growing legacy as one of the most influential new rappers to find fame on streaming before dying young. The details around Juice World’s untimely death remain a cautionary tale of the pressures facing young artists.