'It's not how this works': Father mourns popular rapper's tragic death at just 18
A rising teen rapper has died after an apparent drug overdose left him in a coma for two weeks.
Jacob Tyler Thureson, 18, was known professionally as Hella Sketchy and became popular on the music-sharing platform, SoundCloud.
His heartbroken father, Erik, confirmed the news of his death on Twitter.
“You are not supposed to go before your father or grandfather,” Erik, who lives in Arizona, said.
“That’s not supposed to happen. That’s not how this works. We have no words.
“We are so sad to share that Jacob Tyler Thureson passed away on June 27, 2019 at 5:11am (local time).”
In a series of tweets, Erik also said his son had been found “unresponsive on June 13th from an apparent drug overdose”.
“He was revived and brought to the ER where he’s been in a coma for 14 days,” the rapper’s father said.
“Never in a million years would I have imagined that it would end like this.”
Part 3 #ripsketchy #ripjacob #riplittlebuddy The opioid epidemic does not discriminate. The conversation regarding drugs, depression, mental illness, social media, needs to be happening more openly without judgment and stigma.
Jacob’s life was not and will not be in vain. pic.twitter.com/yy3Q6sbhtO— Erik Thureson #filmcrew (@erikthureson) June 27, 2019
Part 4 #ripsketchy #ripjacob #riplittlebuddy Jacob touched many lives. He had so many praying. There was unity from people of all backgrounds with 1 hope for Jacob to pull through. We don’t understand why but we do know that no matter what God is still good & we praise him. pic.twitter.com/caSc2JbrVl
— Erik Thureson #filmcrew (@erikthureson) June 27, 2019
Erik also had a message about the opioid epidemic, saying it “does not discriminate”.
The father said he wanted discussions about drugs, depression, mental illness and social media to be more open “without judgment and stigma”.
“Jacob’s life was not and will not be in vain,” he said.
Days before he was found unresponsive, Hella Sketchy tweeted out “sober drug addict” and “I love you guys so much thank you for supporting me I’m so grateful that I can help people with my music”.
Part 5 #ripsketchy #ripjacob #riplittlebuddy We love you Jacob. More than words can express. We honor your short life of 18 years but we promise, your legacy will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/yjkfZkwOUT
— Erik Thureson #filmcrew (@erikthureson) June 27, 2019
Rest easy, Hella Sketchy. pic.twitter.com/zPOJDboj5H
— Atlantic Records (@AtlanticRecords) June 28, 2019
At the time of publication, he had 98,000 followers on Instagram, more than 14,000 followers on Twitter and more than 23,000 followers on SoundCloud.
Record label Atlantic Records released a statement, saying: “Hella Sketchy’s tragic passing is a devastating loss”.
“He was an enormously creative, sensitive soul who was just beginning to show the world his talent and originality.”
Hella Sketchy’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the 18-year-old’s medical bills.
A memorial for the teen rapper is being planned in Los Angeles, Erik said.
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