A rising rap artist died Thursday after spending two weeks in a coma following an apparent drug overdose.
Hella Sketchy, whose real name is Jacob Tyler Thureson was found unresponsive on June 13, his father Erik Thureson tweeted. He was revived and rushed to hospital, where he was in a coma.
Erik said his son died early Thursday morning. “You are not supposed to go before your father or grandfather,” he tweeted. “That’s not supposed to happen. That’s not how this works. We have no words.”
In a statement, record label APG/Atlantic Records called Hella Sketchy’s death “a devastating loss.”
It read: “He was an enormously creative, sensitive soul with a brilliant sense of humour. He was just beginning to show the world his talent and originality, and it’s heartbreaking that such a bright future has been cut short.”
MORE: Teen Rapper C Glizzy Shot In Head
Hella Sketchy’s self-titled debut album was released in March.
The teen’s father tweeted about the opioid epidemic. “The conversation regarding drugs, depression, mental illness, social media, needs to be happening more openly without judgment and stigma,” he shared. “Jacob’s life was not and will not be in vain.”
A family friend set up a GoFundMe appeal to help the rapper’s family.
On the same day as his overdose, Hella Sketchy wrote on Instagram: “I love you guys so much thank you for supporting me I’m so grateful that I can help people with my music.”