Justin Bieber has led tributes to his friend and former housemate Chris King, the US rapper who has died aged 32.
King, who was born Christopher Stacy Cheeks Jr, was fatally shot on Saturday (April 20) during an incident in Nashville, Tennessee, which the Sun reported left others injured.
The rapper is best known for his collaborations with Trippie Redd, who also paid tribute. King has been releasing music since 2013.
“Love you bro. This one hurts,” Bieber wrote on Instagram. “Please keep his family in your prayers. See you in paradise brother.”
The pair lived together about a decade ago for a short time and King reminisced about this in another post last December.
“Fun fact: I lived at my brother's krib (sic) for a full year and a half almost 10 years ago,” he wrote. “Glad some people never change no matter what. all love, forever extended family.”
Tennessee Police has not issued a statement by way of explaining if a murder investigation has started into King’s death. The reporter was unable to make contact.
Who was Chris King?
Born in December 1991, the rapper was a player in the US trap and hip-hop scene, releasing 17 mixtapes in his lifetime, with an 18th reportedly in the can.
He did not release any music with Bieber, but the two were good mates. However, he did frequently collaborate with Trippie Redd.
The pair joined up to release Can You Rap Like Me Pt.2, U Deserve It, Love Scars pt.2, and Dangerous.
Trippie Redd wrote on Instagram: “I am so hurt rn I can’t even think I love you bro come back!!!!! I can’t catch a break.
“I love you until we meet again twin! I would not be where I am today without @whoischrisking […] he had the best energy always he had so many friends and it shows I love you guys for supporting one of my best friends ever my brother.”
King’s final release in his lifetime was Seeing Double Seeing Double, released on April 8, and his last outing The Luck of Snotty 3 could be released posthumously.
