The new year has already seen the loss of an up-and-coming member of the hip hop community.
Minnesota rapper Lexii Alijai, whose full name was Alexis Alijai Lynch, passed away
on January 1st at just 21 years old.
Alijai's cause of death has not been released, but some members of her family did speak out
on social media.
As part of a heart-wrenching tribute on Facebook, one relative wrote:
"They say don't question God, but damn why you baby.
This thing called life is crazy as hell.
My heart is broken.
the tears won't stop.
I'm trynna hold it together...I love you more then you'll ever know.
I can't focus, I can't concentrate, I'm numb, I literally can not [breathe].
Rest easy baby...You gained your beautiful wings...Lexii Alijai.
Please keep our family in your prayers."
Another relative posted:
"[You're] a real Legend. if you know her or heard her music you'd feel chills.
Rest in paradise you'll never be forgotten!
I'm so lost for words...my beautiful cousin with so much talent & Unique soul Lexii Alijai
It's too soon."
While it was far too soon to lose Alijai, the young rapper certainly made her mark in
the entertainment world.
She was still in the early stages of her career, but she'd already achieved an impressive list
of professional accomplishments.
Alijai went viral as a high school student rapping over the songs of big names in the
game and amassed an impressive following on SoundCloud and YouTube.
She celebrated her 16th birthday with the release of her 2014 mixtape, aptly titled
Super Sweet 16's.
Later that year, she debuted Feel-Less.
In 2015, at just 17 years old, Alijai released a full-length album called Joseph's Coat,
followed by 2017's Growing Pains.
Alijai's cousin told BuzzFeed that she, quote, "knew what she wanted to be" and was, quote,
"committed and dedicated" to her music, telling the site:
"She was loving, caring, sweet, humble.
She gave hugs all the time and her departure words were always 'I love you.'
She had a passion for art and creating writing.
Alexis is beautiful inside and out."
That dedication was opening doors for the young lyricist.
The Star Tribune described her as a rookie who was capable of, quote, "stealing the show,"
and said of her album Joseph's Coat:
"[It] showed off her Aaliyah-meets-Allan Kingdom, sing-songy rapper style and knack for writing
about family, relationships and feminism."
She opened in 2016 for Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, and Rich the Kid, but one of Alaji's
most notable contributions was her work with Kehlani.
Not only did these two talents make amazing music together, but the collaborators also
formed a heartwarming friendship.
Kehlani had brought Lexii Alijai on board for her song "Jealous," from the You Should
Be Here album.
After learning of her friend's death, Kehlani took to social media to try to express her
feelings about the devastating loss.
She paid tribute to her friend on Instagram, sharing photos and a lengthy message about
her heartache.
She wrote:
"i'm so sick.
i'm so angry.
i'm confused and my heart is broken.
i don't know why this happened.
i don't know what you've ever done but be brilliant, kind, strong, gentle, compassionate...you
got my heart on the floor right now lex."
As fans scramble for answers about what happened to Lexii Alijai, some are looking to her social
media for clues.
According to BuzzFeed, she had nearly 87,000 followers combined on Twitter and Instagram,
and was active on the platforms until the end.
On New Year's Eve, she posted a memory on her Facebook page from 2013 that said:
"Stayin in the crib as usual on New Years...[don't] do parties.
I hope everyone has fun, be safe!"
That old post is now filled with new messages of condolence from her followers.
Again and again, friends and family have talked about the strength of Alijai's positive personality.
Fellow rapper Bas posted a thoughtful tribute on Twitter.
"This is hard to comprehend.
So young, talented, humble, and gracious.
I was positive it was only a matter of time before the world celebrated your talent and
your character.
RIP Lexii."
Our heartfelt condolences to Alijai's family, friends, and fans.