Gustav Elijah Åhr, known professionally as Lil Peep, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter recognized for his emo-rap style. As a member of the GothBoiClique collective, he played a key role in reviving emo music within rap and rock, inspiring numerous outcasts and youth subcultures. Lil Peep's legacy remains significant as a leading figure in the emo rap movement.
1975: The 1975 and Machine Gun Kelly Pay Tribute
The 1975's song "Love It If We Made It" features a lyric that pays tribute to Lil Peep: "Rest in peace Lil Peep, The poetry is in the streets". In Machine Gun Kelly's song "Glass House," which honors various deceased artists, Lil Peep is mentioned in the lines: "Wish Lil Peep and me had met, but I can't get that back".
November 1, 1996: Gustav Elijah Åhr's Birth
Gustav Elijah Åhr, who would later be known as Lil Peep, was born on November 1, 1996.
2012: Impact of Hurricane Sandy on Schooling
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused the closure of Lil Peep's high school for several weeks. Upon reopening, the relaxed environment allowed him to enjoy his junior year.
2012: Parents' Separation and Early Struggles
Lil Peep's parents separated in 2012. Around the age of 16, he began experiencing anxiety and started self-medicating. He had a close relationship with his mother and tattooed her initials and birthday on his arm as his first tattoo.
2013: Early Music Career as Trap Goose
Lil Peep began producing and releasing music on SoundCloud in 2013 under the name "Trap Goose".
January 2014: High School Graduation
Lil Peep graduated high school six months early in January 2014 with the support of his teachers.
2015: College Enrollment and Dean's List Recognition
During the fall semester of 2015, Lil Peep attended Nassau Community College, taking online classes, and was named to the dean's list for his academic performance.
2015: Name Change to Lil Peep and Rising Popularity
In 2015, Lil Peep adopted his stage name, inspired by his mother's nickname for him. He gained significant popularity on SoundCloud with the release of his single "Star Shopping" and mixtapes "Lil Peep; Part One" and "Live Forever".
2015: Music Creation and Performances
Instead of continuing college, Lil Peep focused on his music, creating a significant body of work and starting to perform with Schemaposse.
2015: Release of "Feelz", "Lil Peep; Part One", and "Live Forever"
Lil Peep released his first extended play, "Feelz", followed by his debut mixtape, "Lil Peep; Part One", which gained significant attention. He then released another mixtape, "Live Forever".
2015: Early Career and Rising Popularity
Lil Peep's music career began its upward trajectory in 2015 with a series of tracks, EPs, and mixtapes released on SoundCloud. He rapidly gained millions of online streams and a dedicated fanbase, attracting significant attention on platforms like SoundCloud and Instagram.
2015: Rising Popularity and Association with GothBoiClique
Lil Peep's music, particularly songs like "Star Shopping", gained significant traction in underground hip-hop circles in 2015. After Schemaposse disbanded, he formed connections with the Los Angeles-based rap collective GothBoiClique.
February 12, 2016: Lil Peep's First Live Performance
Lil Peep's first live performance took place on February 12, 2016, in Tucson, Arizona, as a member of the group Schemaposse.
February 2016: Move to Los Angeles to Pursue Music
In February 2016, driven by a desire to escape the negativity of Long Island and fully commit to his music career, Lil Peep moved to Los Angeles, adopting his stage name for performances.
February 2016: First Live Performance with Schemaposse
Lil Peep's popularity grew with songs like "Star Shopping" and "Beamer Boy", leading to his first live performance with Schemaposse in February 2016.
June 2016: Release of "Crybaby" Mixtape
Lil Peep released his mixtape "Crybaby" in June 2016, featuring collaborations with members of the GothBoiClique, a group he became associated with after Schemaposse's disbandment.
September 2016: Release of "Hellboy" and Subsequent Tour
In September 2016, Lil Peep released his mixtape "Hellboy", which featured popular tracks like "Girls" and "OMFG". The success of "Hellboy" led to his first solo tour across the United States and Europe in the spring of 2017.
2016: Release of Acclaimed Mixtapes
Lil Peep released his highly praised mixtapes "Crybaby" and "Hellboy" in 2016, further solidifying his place in the emo rap scene.
May 2017: Copyright Controversy
In May 2017, Lil Peep faced accusations of copyright infringement from the band Mineral for using an uncredited sample of their song "LoveLetterTypewriter" in his track "Hollywood Dreaming".
August 8, 2017: Lil Peep Comes Out as Bisexual
On August 8, 2017, Lil Peep publicly came out as bisexual in a Twitter post, using his platform to be open about his sexuality with his fans. He continued to advocate for LGBTQ+ acceptance and challenge homophobia on social media.
August 2017: Release of Debut Album: Come Over When You're Sober Pt. 1
In August 2017, Lil Peep released his debut album, "Come Over When You're Sober Pt. 1," marking a significant milestone in his career.
August 15, 2017: Release of Debut Album: "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 1"
On August 15, 2017, Lil Peep released his highly anticipated debut studio album, "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 1".
September 2017: Lil Peep's Relationship with Bella Thorne and Coming Out
In September 2017, Lil Peep's relationship with actress and singer Bella Thorne became public around the same time he came out. They were seen together frequently and even kissed publicly. After a short period, they broke up, and Thorne started a relationship with rapper Mod Sun.
November 15, 2017: Death of Lil Peep
On November 15, 2017, Lil Peep, whose real name was Gustav Elijah Åhr, tragically passed away.
November 22, 2017: Music Industry Pays Tribute to Lil Peep
Following his death, numerous artists in the music industry, including Diplo, Post Malone, and many others, paid tribute to Lil Peep. Jon Caramanica, a music critic for The New York Times, dedicated a special remembrance podcast episode to honor Peep on November 22, 2017.
December 2, 2017: Good Charlotte and Three Days Grace Honor Lil Peep
Good Charlotte paid tribute to Lil Peep by performing a cover of "Awful Things" at his memorial in Long Beach, New York on December 2, 2017. Three Days Grace also honored Lil Peep by releasing a remix of his song "Witchblades" featuring Lil Tracy.
2017: Pitchfork Hails Lil Peep as "The Future of Emo"
In 2017, Pitchfork, a prominent music publication, recognized Lil Peep's unique style and influence, calling him "the future of emo". This sparked discussions and debates among music critics and fans about his place within the genre.
2017: Lil Peep's Death
Lil Peep tragically passed away in 2017 from an accidental drug overdose.
2017: Lil Peep's Fashion Sense
Lil Peep's distinctive fashion sense in 2017, often categorized as emo and mall goth, incorporated elements like graffitied jackets, colorful fur, and pink clothing. He cited influences such as Fat Mike, Marcelo Burlon, and the Casualties.
January 12, 2018: Posthumous Release of "Spotlight" with Marshmello
On January 12, 2018, Marshmello released their collaboration with Lil Peep, titled "Spotlight." This marked one of the first official posthumous releases since Peep's passing.
January 2018: Lil Peep's Legacy and Impact on Emo Genre
In January 2018, John Jeremiah Sullivan of GQ wrote about Lil Peep's enduring legacy after his death, highlighting his significant impact on music. Rolling Stone journalist Elias Leight echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Peep's relentless drive in his rise to fame.
January 15, 2018: Posthumous Feature on Juicy J's "Got 'Em Like"
On January 15, 2018, Juicy J released the single "Got 'Em Like," which featured vocals from Lil Peep and Wiz Khalifa. This release marked another posthumous contribution from Peep's unreleased work.
January 27, 2018: Posthumous Collaboration: "Dreams & Nightmares" with Teddy
SoundCloud rapper Teddy released a collaborative track with the late Lil Peep titled "Dreams & Nightmares" on January 27, 2018, adding to the growing list of posthumous releases from the artist.
February 12, 2018: Release of Music Video for "Spotlight"
Following the release of the song the previous month, the music video for "Spotlight," the collaboration between Marshmello and Lil Peep, premiered on February 12, 2018.
March 2018: Lil Peep's Music Archive Acquired by Columbia Records
In a significant move for the legacy of Lil Peep, his music archive was acquired by Columbia Records in March 2018, signaling plans for future releases and projects.
May 13, 2018: Posthumous Release: "4 Gold Chains" Featuring Clams Casino
The Lil Peep estate released "4 Gold Chains," a posthumous single featuring Clams Casino, along with a music video on May 13, 2018.
June 2018: XXXTentacion's Posthumous Collaboration and Grimes's Tribute
XXXTentacion, before his own passing in June 2018, recorded a verse for a tribute song for Lil Peep, later released as the collaborative single "Falling Down". Grimes revealed that she wrote her song "Delete Forever" on the night of Lil Peep's death, drawing inspiration from themes of substance abuse.
June 19, 2018: Juice Wrld Dedicates EP to Lil Peep
On June 19, 2018, Juice Wrld released a two-song EP titled "Too Soon.." dedicated to Lil Peep and XXXTentacion, who was killed in June 2018.
August 17, 2018: Announcement of "Falling Down" with XXXTentacion
On August 17, 2018, iLoveMakonnen announced a reworked version of his collaboration with Lil Peep, "Sunlight on Your Skin." This new version, titled "Falling Down," would feature the late XXXTentacion, who recorded verses after Peep's passing. The announcement sparked controversy due to past conflicts between Peep and XXXTentacion.
September 19, 2018: Release of "Falling Down"
"Falling Down," the collaborative single by Lil Peep, iLoveMakonnen, and XXXTentacion, was released on September 19, 2018. The song's release, following the controversial announcement, drew significant attention and eventually peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
September 27, 2018: Release of Original Version: "Sunlight on Your Skin"
Following the release of the reworked version, "Falling Down," the original recording of "Sunlight on Your Skin," a collaboration between Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen, was released on September 27, 2018.
October 14, 2018: Completion of "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2" Announced
Lil Peep's estate revealed on October 14, 2018, that his first posthumous project, "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2," had been completed in September 2018. The project's executive producer, Smokeasac, confirmed it was awaiting approval from Peep's family.
October 17, 2018: "Cry Alone" Announced as Lead Single
The Lil Peep estate confirmed on October 17, 2018, that "Cry Alone" would be the lead single from the forthcoming album, "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2."
October 18, 2018: Release of "Cry Alone"
As announced, "Cry Alone," the lead single from Lil Peep's posthumous album "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2," was released on October 18, 2018.
November 1, 2018: Release of "Runaway"
The Lil Peep estate released "Runaway," the second single from the album "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2," on November 1, 2018.
November 7, 2018: Release of "Life is Beautiful"
"Life is Beautiful," a remix of the song "Life" from Lil Peep's "Feelz" EP, was released on November 7, 2018, as the third single from "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2."
November 9, 2018: Release of "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2"
"Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2," Lil Peep's first posthumous album, was released on November 9, 2018, featuring previously unreleased material completed before his passing.
2018: Announcement of "No Smoking" Clothing Line
In late 2018, plans for "No Smoking" (stylized as "NO SMOK!NG"), a Lil Peep clothing line developed before his death, were announced.
2018: Posthumous Album Release
Lil Peep's second album, "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2", was released posthumously in 2018 and achieved significant chart success, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200.
2018: Release of "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2" and FAE's Response to Lawsuit
Despite the lawsuit, FAE supported the release of Lil Peep's first posthumous album, "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2", in 2018. The album was a success, reaching number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, a career-best for the rapper. In 2020, FAE publicly stated their belief that they were not contractually responsible for Lil Peep's personal life and that a ruling suggesting otherwise would negatively impact the management industry.
2018: Lil Peep's stance against misogyny and posthumous collaborations
In 2018, Lil Peep's stance against misogyny in the music industry was highlighted, particularly regarding his disapproval of XXXTentacion's alleged violence against women. The controversy surrounding a posthumous collaboration between the two artists, "Falling Down," sparked debate among fans and fellow artists, with some opposing it due to Lil Peep's values and lack of consent.
January 31, 2019: Release of "I've Been Waiting" with iLoveMakonnen and Fall Out Boy
"I've Been Waiting," the highly anticipated collaboration between Lil Peep, iLoveMakonnen, and Fall Out Boy, was released on January 31, 2019. Originally a demo by iLoveMakonnen, the track evolved into a collaboration with Lil Peep. After Peep's passing, Fall Out Boy joined the project, completing the posthumous release.
March 10, 2019: Premiere of "Everybody's Everything" at SXSW
"Everybody's Everything," a documentary chronicling the life and career of Lil Peep, premiered at the SXSW Film Festival on March 10, 2019. The film offered an intimate look into the artist's personal life and musical journey.
April 2019: Re-release of "Gym Class" and "Star Shopping"
In April 2019, Lil Peep's estate re-released two of his early singles, "Gym Class" and "Star Shopping," to all streaming platforms. "Gym Class" was initially released in March 2016, while "Star Shopping" originally came out in August 2015. This re-release strategy aimed to make these tracks more readily available to newer fans.
November 1, 2019: Release of "Everybody's Everything" Soundtrack
The soundtrack for the Lil Peep documentary, "Everybody's Everything," was released on November 1, 2019. The soundtrack featured a mix of previously released tracks and unreleased material, further expanding Peep's discography.
December 23, 2019: FAE Disputes Wrongful Death Claims
On December 23, 2019, FAE filed court documents in Los Angeles County Superior Court, formally disputing all claims made in the wrongful death lawsuit, including negligence, breach of contract, and wrongful death.
2019: Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against FAE
Lil Peep's mother, Liza Womack, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his management, FAE grp, in 2019. The suit alleged negligence and breach of contract, claiming they contributed to his 2017 death from an accidental drug overdose.
2019: Documentary Release: "Everybody's Everything"
A documentary film about Lil Peep's life and career, titled "Everybody's Everything", was released in 2019.
March 5, 2020: Re-release of "Vertigo" EP
Lil Peep's 2016 EP, "Vertigo," was officially re-released to streaming platforms by his estate on March 5, 2020, making it more widely accessible to fans.
June 10, 2020: Re-release of "Crybaby" Mixtape
Coinciding with the four-year anniversary of its original release, the "Crybaby" mixtape was re-released to streaming platforms on June 10, 2020, with most of the samples cleared. The track "falling 4 me" was not included due to uncleared samples from Radiohead.
September 25, 2020: Re-release of "Hellboy" Mixtape
On September 25, 2020, the "Hellboy" mixtape, another project from Lil Peep's catalog, was re-released to streaming platforms. The release marked the fourth anniversary of the mixtape's original release date. The song "drive by" had to be reproduced due to sample clearance issues.
2020: FAE Claims No Responsibility for Lil Peep's Personal Life
In 2020, FAE released statements asserting they had no contractual obligation regarding Lil Peep's personal life. They argued that holding them responsible for preventing his overdose would set a dangerous precedent, turning music businesses into "full-time babysitters."
January 26, 2021: Announcement of "California Girls" EP Re-release
The Lil Peep estate announced on January 26, 2021, that the "California Girls" EP would be re-released soon.
January 29, 2021: Re-release of "California Girls" EP
The "California Girls" EP was officially re-released on January 29, 2021, alongside a new music video for the song "lil kennedy."
June 30, 2021: Announcement of "Castles" and "Castles II" Re-releases
On June 30, 2021, Lil Peep's estate announced the upcoming re-release of two collaborative EPs with Lil Tracy: "Castles" and "Castles II."
July 2, 2021: Re-release of "Castles" and "Castles II" EPs
The collaborative EPs by Lil Peep and Lil Tracy, "Castles" and "Castles II," were re-released on July 2, 2021, accompanied by videos of past live performances.
May 20, 2022: Re-release of "Feelz" EP
The "Feelz" EP was re-released on May 20, 2022, accompanied by the release of music videos for the songs "feelz" and "life."
December 2, 2022: Re-release of "LIVE FOREVER" Mixtape
On December 2, 2022, the "LIVE FOREVER" mixtape was re-released, accompanied by the release of a music video for the mixtape's title track.
February 2023: Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settled
In February 2023, after four years, the wrongful death lawsuit against FAE was settled before going to trial. While most terms remained confidential, a key outcome was the transfer of Lil Peep's entire music catalog from FAE to his family.
September 1, 2023: Release of "November" with iLoveMakonnen
Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen's collaborative track "November" was released on all streaming platforms on September 1, 2023.
September 8, 2023: Release of "Diamonds" Album
The highly anticipated collaborative album "Diamonds," recorded by Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen in 2017, was released on September 8, 2023.
November 10, 2023: Release of "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2 (OG Version)"
The Lil Peep estate released "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2 (OG Version)" on November 10, 2023. The project features the original recordings of nine songs from the 2018 album "Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2" and includes the first official release of the song "in the car."