US rapper XXXTentacion has died following a shooting in South Florida, local police have confirmed.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday that it was “working an incident regarding a shooting” next to a motorcycle dealership.

TMZ reported that XXX had no pulse following the incident, before a police official said “the adult male that was taken to the hospital has been pronounced dead”.

Police said the 20-year-old was leaving the dealership when he was approached by two armed suspects, where one of the suspects shot XXX, before fleeing in a dark-coloured SUV.

Investigators said the incident appeared to have been a robbery.

Videos taken at the scene and shared on social media showed the rapper’s slumped body in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.

Celebritites took to social media to express their shock and sadness of XXX’s death.

https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1008839504902307840

In 2017, the hip-hop newcomer appeared on the cover of XXL Magazine’s influential Freshman issue alongside Kamaiyah, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, PnB Rock, MadeinTYO, Playboi Carti, Amine, Kap G, KYLE and Ugly God. XXX won the fan vote to make the cover.

The 20-year-old Florida native was no stranger to controversy.

He had been embroiled in a legal battle, accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.

The controversy has resulted in numerous articles calling for the greater music industry to not “co-sign” or endorse, his music, including one that was published by Pitchfork titled, XXXTentacion Is Blowing Up Behind Bars. Should He Be?

A June 5 feature on the rapper that appeared in Miami New Times chronicled the hip-hop star’s rise to fame, delving deep into his unstable home life and trouble with the law.

In the piece, XXX is quoted as saying that abuse allegations “can go off hearsay”, and that “women are almost more powerful than men”.

In March, XXXTentacion’s album ‘?’ debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. His previous release, called 17, landed at No.2.

-with AAP