The Untold Truth Of Lexii Alijai

When it comes to the celebrities we lost in 2019, there were a number of rappers who passed away, and despite the fact that we've barely entered 2020, the new year has already seen the loss of an up-and-coming member of the music scene. Minnesota's Lexii Alijai, whose full name was Alexis Alijai Lynch, has died 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. "They say don't question God, but damn why you baby," a relative wrote on Facebook as part of a heartwrenching tribute. "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."

 "[You're] a real Legend. if you know her or heard her music you'd feel chills," another relative wrote on Facebook. "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, indeed, too soon to lose Alijai, the young rapper certainly made her mark in the entertainment world. Let's take a closer look at the life and artistry of Lexii Alijai.

Lexii Alijai was still have been in the early stages of her career, but she'd already achieved an impressive list of professional accomplishments. She 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, per BuzzFeed. 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. 

Her cousin, LaMycha Jett, told BuzzFeed that Alijai "knew what she wanted to be" and was "committed and dedicated" to her music. "She was loving, caring, sweet, humble," Jett told the site. "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 "stealing the show" with an "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. The collaborators also formed a heartwarming friendship.

Among those reeling from the loss is Kehlani, who brought Lexii Alijai on board for her song "Jealous," from the You Should Be Here album. The collaborators formed a close friendship. After learning of her friend's death, Kehlani took to Twitter to try to express her feelings about the devastating loss. "I keep typing and backspacing. you knew what you meant to me. everyone knew what you meant." She continued, "You were so special bro. i seen you fight thru it all i seen u thug it out lex. imma miss you so bad. you was about to get everything you always talked about. RIP MY BABY. I LOVE YOU LEX 4L."

Kehlani also paid tribute to her friend on Instagram, sharing photos and a lengthy message about her heartache. "i'm so sick. i'm so angry. i'm confused and my heart is broken," she wrote. "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."

Lexii Alijai's management, 1AM media, released a statement to the Mirror following her shocking death. "Lexii was an extraordinary talent who left an indelible mark on the music industry in just a short period of time," the company said. "She was a true lyricist and an exceptional storyteller with an authentic sound full of energy and curiosity."

Alijai's team noted she was inspired by rapper J. Cole. Alijai herself had talked about his influence with City Pages in 2016. "I heard 'Crooked Smile' by [J. Cole], and that was the first song that ever did anything for me," she said. "It picked me up, and I never felt an artist do that for me." She explained that she began to use the same honest conversational style that can be heard in Cole's songs. "That's why I started getting more personal in my music. It's just cool to make people feel the same way that J. Cole made me feel."

1AM Media announced that Alijai's next album, Come Back Soon, was scheduled to be released in 2020, but it's unclear if the public will ever get a chance to hear all or even part of that project. The record company did not comment on the future of that album in its statement. "The entire 1am family is heartbroken and deeply saddened by her passing," it said, while requesting privacy for Alijai's family.

As fans scramble for answers about what happened to Lexii Alijai, some are looking to her social media for clues. According to BuzzFeed, "She posted frequently on Twitter and Instagram, where she had nearly 87,000 followers combined, and was active right before she died, showing no signs that anything might be wrong." On New Year's Eve, she posted a memory on her Facebook 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," he said. "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.