Legendary Music Star Juice WRLD

 Juice WRLD (Jarad Higgins) Life And His Prime.

Juice WRLD real names are Jarad Higgins, may have left us far too soon, but his music continues to resonate with millions around the world. Known for his emotional honesty, Juice WRLD's songs spoke to a generation grappling with mental health, love, and loss.

 Born on December 2, 1998, and passing away far too soon on December 8, 2019, at the age of 21, his life story is one of immense talent intertwined with profound struggle.

From Jarad to Juice WRLD. 

The Journey Begins Here. Jarad Higgins grew up in the Chicago area, specifically Homewood, Illinois. Raised primarily by his mother after his parents divorced, he was exposed to music early, learning piano, guitar, and drums. His influences were incredibly diverse, ranging from rock and emo bands like Billy Idol, Blink-182, and Fall Out Boy to Chicago drill artists like Chief Keef. This eclectic taste would later define his genre-defying sound

He began rapping in high school, initially posting tracks on SoundCloud under the name JuicetheKidd. It was here that his raw talent started gaining traction. His ability to freestyle effortlessly, often turning pain into melodic verses, quickly set him apart.

Entering his teens back in 2012 - 2014, Jarad already had a musical grounding, having learned piano, guitar, and drums at a young age thanks to his mother's influence. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, he was absorbing a wide array of sounds – everything from the pop-punk and emo bands he loved (like Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Escape the Fate) to the burgeoning Chicago drill scene pioneered by artists like Chief Keef. This eclectic mix wasn't just passive listening; it was forming the bedrock of his future unique sound. High school became the time when rapping transitioned from a casual interest to a serious outlet. He began experimenting with lyrics, honing his ability to articulate the feelings and frustrations common to teenagers – love, angst, identity.

By 2015, Jarad started taking his craft public, turning to SoundCloud as his platform. This was the time of "JuicetheKidd." His early uploads were raw, often recorded with basic setups, but they showcased a natural talent for melody and an impressive ability to freestyle. He wasn't afraid to put his emotions into his tracks, even then touching on themes of heartbreak and personal struggles that would later define his work. While not yet reaching a massive audience, he was building a local following and, more importantly, developing his skills. He released early projects like Juiced Up The EP during this time, experimenting with flows and sounds, clearly influenced by artists like Future and Travis Scott but already hinting at his own distinct melodic sensibility.

The Turning Point (2017) Juice WRLD was Born

2017 marked a significant acceleration. Jarad changed his stage name from JuicetheKidd to Juice WRLD. He stated the name was inspired partly by Tupac Shakur's role in the movie Juice and represented his feeling of taking over the world. This year saw him refine his signature emo-rap style – blending melodic singing, trap beats, and vulnerably honest lyrics about relationships, drug use, and mental health.
His work ethic was intense, constantly recording and uploading. This culminated in the release of the 9 9 9 EP on SoundCloud in June 2017. This project contained early versions of songs that would soon explode, including "Lucid Dreams (Forget Me)" and "All Girls Are the Same." While still independent, these tracks started generating significant buzz online. His freestyling prowess also became more widely recognized, impressing listeners and industry insiders alike. By the end of 2017, Juice WRLD had cultivated a dedicated online fanbase and attracted serious attention from record labels, including Lil Bibby's Grade A Productions.

Juice Wrld Awards

Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs): Juice Wrld secured the crucial Top New Artist award in 2019, a testament to his explosive breakthrough. Posthumously, his album Legends Never Die won Top Rap Album in 2021.

American Music Awards (AMAs): In 2020, Juice was posthumously awarded Favorite Male Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop, highlighting his enduring popularity.

MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs): His massive hit "Lucid Dreams" won Song of Summer in 2018. He was also nominated for Best New Artist that same year.

iHeartRadio Music Awards: "Lucid Dreams" continued its winning streak, grabbing Hip-Hop Song of the Year in 2019. He was also nominated for Best New Hip-Hop Artist.

BET Hip Hop Awards: Nominated for Best New Hip Hop Artist in 2018.

Grammy Awards: While Juice Wrld didn't secure a win during his lifetime, his posthumous album Legends Never Die received a prestigious nomination for Best Rap Album at the 2021 ceremony (presented in 2022).

Most Viewed Juice WRLD Songs

Juice WRLD had a remarkable talent for crafting catchy, emotionally charged hits. While he has countless popular tracks, these stand out as some of his most viewed and commercially successful songs:

"Lucid Dreams" (Released May 2018 / Video Release): Originally appearing on his 9 9 9 EP (2017), the official release propelled him to global stardom. Built around a Sting sample, its themes of heartbreak and pain became synonymous with Juice WRLD. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"All Girls Are the Same" (Released April 2018 / Video Release): Another track originating from the 9 9 9 EP, this song served as his official debut single with Grade A Productions/Interscope. Its success paved the way for "Lucid Dreams" and established his signature emo-rap sound.

"Robbery" (Released February 13, 2019): The lead single from his second album, Death Race for Love. This track showcased his storytelling ability over melodic trap beats, detailing toxic relationships, and became an instant fan favorite.

"Bandit" (with YoungBoy Never Broke Again) (Released October 4, 2019): A major collaboration and his final single released during his lifetime. The track was a commercial smash, reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

"Wishing Well" (Released July 10, 2020): A standout single from his first posthumous album, Legends Never Die. Its raw lyrics addressing fame, drug use, and mental health struggles resonated deeply with fans after his passing, becoming a Top 10 hit.

"Come & Go" (with Marshmello) (Released July 10, 2020): Another major hit from Legends Never Die. This collaboration brought Juice WRLD's vocals together with Marshmello's electronic production, achieving massive streaming numbers and peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Final Chapter Of Juice WRLD's Journey

Jarad Hiigin’s unique blend of emo vulnerability and melodic rap connected deeply with millions, making his music the soundtrack for a generation grappling with complex emotions. However, his journey, marked by incredible talent and raw honesty, was tragically cut short. This is the story of how his active career ended and where fans can pay their respects.

On December 8, 2019, merely six days after celebrating his 21st birthday, Juice WRLD's life came to an abrupt end. He was aboard a private Gulfstream jet flying from Van Nuys, California, to his hometown area of Chicago. Upon landing at Chicago's Midway International Airport in the early hours of the morning, the plane was met by law enforcement officials.

Federal agents and Chicago police had received information suggesting the plane was carrying contraband, specifically guns and drugs. As officials began searching the luggage belonging to Juice WRLD and his entourage inside a private hangar, Jarad suffered what witnesses described as convulsions and seizures.

Immediate medical attention was provided. Reports indicate a federal agent administered Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal medication. Juice WRLD briefly regained consciousness but remained incoherent. He was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, but sadly, he was pronounced dead there at approximately 3:14 a.m.

The Official Cause of Death

Following an autopsy and subsequent toxicology tests, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office released the official cause of death on January 22, 2020. It was determined that Jarad Anthony Higgins died as a result of oxycodone and codeine toxicity. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

The circumstances surrounding the overdose were widely reported. Sources at the time suggested that Juice WRLD ingested multiple Percocet (oxycodone) pills, possibly in an attempt to hide them from the authorities conducting the search. While the exact sequence of events remains debated by some, it's undeniable that his death highlighted the devastating consequences of opioid addiction, a battle Juice WRLD had openly discussed in his music and life. His mother later confirmed he struggled with prescription drug dependency alongside anxiety and depression, and he had reportedly agreed to attend drug rehabilitation just weeks before his passing.

Final Resting Place: Beverly Cemetery